Shroud of Turin Center

1999 Shroud of Turin International Research Conference...an overview of developments

Between June 18th and June 20th more than 300 people gathered at the facilities of Mary Mother of the Church Abbey in Richmond to take part in a unique experience. They came from 8 countries and 22 different states and listented to presentations, discussions and debates on topics in such fields as archaeology, history, art, medicine, physics, photography, chemistry and statistics...all focused on the Shroud of Turin.
 
In these presentations, a number of new developments were described. What follows is a very brief overview of some of the presentations. For the contents of some of the research papers presented, please visit Barrie Schwortz' website.

Radiocarbon Dating...

 

  • In a series of experiments with ancient linen, three Italian researchers - Mario Moroni, Francesco Barbesino and Maurizio Bettinelli - were able to change the radiocarbon date of ancient linen samples by exposing the samples to elevated temperatures for a period of 30 minutes or more. Using radiocarbon laboratories in Toronto, Lyon and Miami they were able to change the radiocarbon dates by up to 1,120 years - somehow enriching the radiocarbon content of the linen. The most extensive enrichment came from a combination of initial neutron irradiation, which shifted the radiocarbon date by about 400 years, followed by heating in a regulated atmosphere, which further shifted the radiocarbon date by about 700 years.

     

  • In a related development, physicists Dr. John Jackson and Dr. Keith Propp described the creation of a theoretical model of the physics of the process which explains the radiocarbon date-shifting that can occur when linen is exposed to elevated temperatures for a prolonged period of time. The model identified the specific conditions which enable enrichment to occur and in so doing, demonstrated why the Arizona laboratory was not able to replicate the experimental findings of Dr. Dimitri Kouznetsov when they attempted to do so in late 1996. Related to this, David Fornof described his efforts to create a precisely controlled experimental environment where these enrichment theories can be measured and evaluated.

     

  • In a statistical review of the 1988 radiocarbon dating of the Shroud, researcher Bryan Walsh demonstrated that the laboratory results reported were statistically not from the same population - the Oxford lab's results were significantly different from the Arizona lab and the Arizon error measurements were significantly different from either of the other two labs. In addition, Walsh showed that the radiocarbon date measurements were related to the location of the sample - the radiocarbon date measurement appeared to be ordered as a gradient.

     

  • In a separate statistical evaluation, Remi Van Haelst described the mathematical difficulties created when the British Museum changed several of the error ranges reported in the original radiocarbon study. He noted that relatively small changes in error range translate into a much larger change in the confidence limits attached to any date conclusions calculated. He concluded that the 1988 dating results were unreliable and should be ignored.

    • Image Analysis...

     

  • A series of new, non-invasive and non-destructive imaging and spectroscopic analysis techniques were discussed by physicist Dr. Keith Propp and Dr. Warren Grundfest, director of Laser Research and Technology Development at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The techniques offer the promise of uncovering a whole new level of highly detailed information about the Shroud and its chemical and physical makeup without requiring any samples or otherwise impinging on the Shroud's physical well-being.

     

  • Peter Schumacher, developer of the VP-8 image analyzer, discussed the unique characteristics of VP-8 images and described why VP-8 images are useful in distinguishing the image on the Shroud from the various images generated by various theories of Shroud image formation. He briefly described why each of the "popular" theories of image formation (painting, rubbing, dry powder, ancient photography, etc.) do not perform well under VP-8 analysis.

     

  • Dr. Kevin Moran revealed that a microscopic evaluation of some of the Shroud fibers extracted in 1978 from the area containing the Shroud's faint image reveal very sharp, optically terminated endings to the fibers that hold the image. He evaluated the fibers on studies he performed on samples originally taken by Max Frei. - indicating that the process involved in making the image was extremely precise and most definitively not a painting. He proposed that the process involved may be related to atomic or sub-atomic particle interactions.

     

  • In a systematic review of the specroscopic, wet-chemistry, VP-8 analysis and physical characteristics of the various theories currently prevalent that attempt to describe the image making process for the image on the Shroud of Turin, Professor Alan Adler concluded that the Shroud image is not:

     

  • a painting
  • a photograph
  • the result of a dry powder applied to a body
  • the result of coating a human body with an herbal unquent
  • a bioplastic coating
  • a bas relief

    •  
    but is the result of a conjugated carbonyl produced in the cellulose structure itself by a dehydrative process. The blood is real blood and there are minute particles of paint dust on the cloth which have nothing to do with the image. He also reevaluated the attempt to radiocarbon date a Shroud sample by Dr. Garza-Valdes. He found that, after adjusting for the chemistry mistakes made in attempting to clean the sample by Dr. Garza-Valdes team, he was able to estimate a range of dates for the sample from 1151AD to 351AD. He placed only limited reliance on these dates because of a variety of problems with the sample, including the fact that it was inadequately chemically cleaned.

     

  • In experiments that used injected radioisotopes, Dr. Gus Accetta demonstrated the internally-generated x-ray images that radiation from this source can create. Further, using the VP-8 image analyzer, he demonstrated the "3-D" similarities that existed between the x-ray images created from internal radiation and the image on the Shroud of Turin.

     

  • Professor Emanuela Marinelli described the results of recent computer reconstructions of the image formation on a draped linen cloth of a man with the physical characteristics of the man of the Shroud. Computer modelling predicts the man was about 174cm tall - somewhat shorter than previous estimates of 178-182cm - and more typical of a First Century Semite.

     

  • Dr. Alan Whanger and Mary Whanger used the polarized image overlay technique they developed to illustrate a number of apparent images that exist on Shroud photos. Included in these apparent images are flora from the area surrounding Jerusalem. Based on their analysis of these images and pollens found on the Shroud, they concluded it definitively came from First century Jerusalem.

    • Art and History...

     

  • Prof. Paul Maloney discussed the history of the sample extraction and pollen identification on the Shroud of Turin. He gave high marks to Max Frei and the pollen extraction and identification research he performed on the Shroud and the Sudarium of Oviedo.

     

  • Rex Morgan and Isabel Piczek described their continuing research on the Orpheus cubiculum - part of the Domitilla catacomb in Rome - with the painted Christ-like image that likely dates to the First Century based on radiocarbon dating and artistic comparisons of method and style. The image in the cubiculum is very similar to the image of the man on the Shroud of Turin.

     

  • Using a manuscript and iconographic approach, Professsor Dan Scavone traced the history of the Constantinople cloth prior to 1204 and linked it to the epataphioi icon tradition. In addition, Dr. John Jackson and Rebecca Jackson presented evidence, based on an analysis of the folds and discolorations on the Shroud of Turin, which place it in Tenth Century Constantinople and link it to the Image of Edessa and the icon tradition of the Man of Sorrows.

     

  • In describing his preliminary research findings, researcher Jack Markwardt detailed the path he believes the Edessa image took through Antioch before it arrived in Edessa in the Sixth Century and connected the lack of concrete references to the cloth in the early Church to the effects of early Christian theological disputes.

     

  • In a discussion about a linen cloth that appears to be related to the Shroud of Turin, the Sudarium of Oviedo, Mark Guscin described the work of the Spanish Shroud Society and the historical research he has performed that traces the Sudarium across Seventh Century North Africa after it left Jerusalem and through the Eight Century when the cloth settled in Oviedo in northern Spain.

     

  • Ian Wilson presented a detailed review of the research he has conducted into the Shroud's presence in Edessa and called for an archaeological preservation effort for this town, which is in a fundamental Muslim part of Turkey. He noted that he has begun an effort, along with several others, to begin an organized archaeological exploration of Edesssa(Urfa) and plans to report back the results of his efforts at future conferences.

    • Medicical and Forensic Science...

     

  • Dr. Fred Zugibe, forensic scientist for Rockland County, New York, described why the hand wound injuries on the image on the Shroud of Turin could not have been made by driving a nail throught the "opening of Desot" but had to be made elsewhere on the lower part of the palm. He also called for a more rigorous review procedure when evaluating and publishing research on the Shroud of Turin so that the public can separate high quality research from the rest.

     

  • Dr. Gil Lavoie presented an analysis of blood flow on the hair and face of the man on the Shroud. He concluded that the blood in the hair had to be a misregistration of blood flow from the side of the face. This blood shows up on the Shroud image in the hair as a result of the image formation process. He believes the image was formed when the man on the Shroud was in an upright position.

    • Education and Communication...

     

  • "The Boston Collection", a unique collection of Shroud art and memorabilia, was introduced by C. Richard Orareo. It detailed in numerous art works the history and influence the Shroud has had during the past 400 years.

     

  • Two award-winning websites were discussed as part of an effort to broaden knowledge of the Shroud. Barrie Schwortz discussed the activity, scope and future direction for his website and announced the formation of a new group - "Friends of shroud.com" - that will assist in the funding of the sites future growth.
    Russ Breault described his efforts with the Shroud of Turin Education Project to provide educational material to groups of all ages to deepen understand of the Shroud and its many aspects.

     

  • Rev Jack Kennington, C.Ss.R., described his efforts to catalogue and make available to researchers the work of the Holy Shroud Guild.

    • Religion and Epistemology...

     

  • The Jewish characteristics of the Shroud of Turin were detailed by Rebecca Jackson. She traced the development of Jewish burial practices and noted that the Shroud may have come from the Second Temple period. She observed that its dimensions (8 by 2 cubits) and characteristics (no sha-atznez) had a particularly Jewish meaning.

     

  • The strengths and weaknesses of the varied lines of inquiry into the nature of the Shroud of Turin were evaluated by Professor Gary Habermas. After describing an epistemological evaluation of the Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, Professor Habermas, applying a similar epistemological approach, critiqued the current lines of inquiry into the nature of the Shroud...he gave relatively high marks to the forensic research conducted, but found the varied speculations on image formation hypotheses to be poor in adhering to the known science of the physical and chemical characteristics of th e image on the Shroud.

     

  • The possibility that the Shroud linen may have been used at the Last Supper was explored by Rebecca Jackson. Utilizing her knowledge of First Century Jewish practices and religious laws as well as a multi-specrtal analysis of several of the unexplained stains on the Shroud of Turin, Jackson postulated that the Shroud may have been used as a tablecloth at the Last Supper.

     

  • The association of the Shroud and healing in the New Testament accounts as well as early Church writings were explored by Rev. Albert (Kim) Dreisbach. Using his well-known phrase - "spy-clues" - Rev. Dreisbach discussed a number of writings which may have referred to the Shroud and its association with otherwise inexplicable healings which can be found with an appropriate understanding of the texts.

    • In addition to these presentations, there were two spirited panel discussions one focusing on the Shroud as a work of art and the other on Image analysis techniques and their limitations when applied to the Shroud. In the coming months we plan to have a more detailed description of several of the themes that emerged from this Conference.

     

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