The Shroud of Turin, a 4-meter (13-foot) long linen cloth said to bear the imprint of Christ's body, has divided opinions for centuries. A recent discovery sheds new light on its turbulent history, questioning its authenticity through previously unknown medieval testimonies.
A team of researchers has uncovered an ancient document written by Nicole Oresme, a highly respected Norman theologian of the 14th century. This text, analyzed in a study published in the
Journal of Medieval History, is one of the oldest known written refutations of the shroud. Oresme, who later became Bishop of Lisieux, describes the Shroud as an obvious fraud orchestrated by members of the clergy to extract offerings from the faithful.
Depiction of the face imprinted on the Shroud of Turin
Credit: Dianelos Georgoudis/Taylor & Francis The work of Nicolas Sarzeaud, a historian at the Catholic University of Louvain, reveals that this criticism comes from a major intellectual figure of the time, known for his scientific rigor. Oresme applied a rational method to evaluate supernatural phenomena, classifying testimonies according to their reliability and distrusting rumors. His rejection of the Shroud is part of a broader effort to denounce religious trickery.
This discovery adds to other evidence accumulated over time. Previous carbon-14 dating indicates that the linen dates from the 13th or 14th century, long after the time of Christ. A recent study published in
Archaeometry using 3D analysis suggests that the image was created by wrapping the fabric around a statue, not a human body.
The historical journey of the Shroud is itself revealing. Initially exhibited in Lirey in Champagne, it was banned by the Bishop of Troyes around 1355 after an investigation, then hidden for decades. Pope Clement VII authorized its re-exhibition on the condition that it be presented as a mere representation, not as an authentic relic. Despite this, its fame has continued to grow over the centuries.
For Andrea Nicolotti, a professor at the University of Turin, this new historical evidence confirms what modern science tends to demonstrate. The Shroud represents an exceptional case of a well-documented medieval fraud, in which the Church itself took a stand against its authenticity.
Carbon-14 dating
Carbon-14 dating is a scientific method used to determine the age of an object containing carbon, such as the linen of the Shroud of Turin. It relies on measuring the radioactive decay of carbon-14, an isotope present in organic materials.
When an organism dies, it stops absorbing carbon-14, and the isotope decays at a constant rate. By measuring the remaining amount, scientists can estimate how long ago death occurred. For the Shroud, samples were taken and analyzed by several independent laboratories.
The results converged on a date between 1260 and 1390 AD, corresponding to the medieval period. This range excludes the possibility that the cloth was used to wrap the body of the historical Jesus, who lived in the 1st century. The method is widely used in archaeology and has been refined to minimize the risk of contamination.
Although some have challenged these results by suggesting possible sample pollution, the majority of the scientific community considers them reliable. They align with other clues, such as the recently discovered historical documents, to place the origin of the Shroud in the Middle Ages.
Relics in medieval Christianity
Relics are objects or bodily remains associated with saints or religious figures, venerated for their spiritual power. In the Middle Ages, they played a central role in Christian devotion, attracting pilgrims and generating income for churches.
The growing demand for these sacred objects led to the production of many fake relics, often created for economic or political motives. The clergy itself was sometimes involved in these frauds, as suggested by the case of the Shroud of Turin, used to stimulate offerings from the faithful.
The Church gradually established procedures to authenticate relics, but controls varied considerably depending on the period and region. Popes and bishops occasionally denounced abuses, as evidenced by the ban on the Shroud by the Bishop of Troyes in the 14th century.
Today, the study of medieval relics offers insight into the religious practices and social dynamics of the time. It reveals how faith, credulity, and rational criticism coexisted, with figures like Nicole Oresme already applying skeptical thinking to alleged miracles.