The Shroud of Turin is one of Christianity’s most studied and debated relics, believed by many to be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ. The linen bears a faint image of a crucified man and is kept in the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Turin, Italy, attracting both worshippers and researchers alike. For centuries, the shroud’s authenticity has been questioned, with some viewing it as sacred proof of Christ’s resurrection, while others regard it as a medieval forgery. Recent developments, however, have reignited interest in the relic’s mysteries.

Biblical scholar Dr. Jeremiah Johnston highlighted tests from the 1990s that identified blood on the cloth as type AB—a rare blood type most common among people of Middle Eastern descent. These tests confirmed the blood was human and male, dismissing theories that the stains were from an artistic hoax or animal source. Dr. Johnston pointed out that the blood contained both premortem and postmortem traces, which would require actual death to reproduce. This extraordinary mix has led some believers to see the shroud as strong evidence of Christ’s suffering and resurrection. The unique blood characteristics appear inconsistent with natural decay, further deepening the relic’s mystery.

Adding to the intrigue, an AI reconstruction of the shroud’s markings recently produced an image some believe could represent the face of Jesus, capturing global attention. However, the debate remains unsettled due to carbon dating in the 1980s, which dated the fabric to between 1260 and 1390. Critics argue that the tested samples might have come from a repaired section, not the original cloth. This leaves the shroud’s true origins—and its place in history—still open to interpretation.