Is the Shroud of Turin Genuine?

Abstract

The Shroud of Turin is a long cloth kept in the Cathedral of Turin, Italy. On the cloth is a faint image of a man with the marks of crucifixion. There are also bloodstains which match. When it was first photographed in 1898, worldwide interest in the Shroud arose because rather than another faint image as was expected, the photographic negative showed a positive photograph-like image of a man. This image showed considerable detail that had previously been unknown. Much controversy surrounds the Shroud because it is either related directly to Jesus Christ or it is an incredibly skillful forgery. Scientific study has also been controversial with some conclusions that contradict others. However, a review of the history and research on the Shroud reveals reasonable evidence for its authenticity.