Fresh genomic research indicates that the Shroud of Turin, associated by believers with the burial of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion, may have come into contact with individuals from the Indian subcontinent. The study's authors attribute it to historic fabric trade networks, highlighting an “unexpected” discovery that 38.7% of the DNA “contamination” reflects India-related lineage.
“The presence of approximately 38.7% of Indian ethnic lineages could have resulted from historical interactions or the Romans importing linen from regions near the Indus Valley, associated with the term ‘Hindoyin' found in rabbinic texts. Notably, the term ‘Shroud', derived from the Greek ‘Sindôn' meaning fine linen, may be related to Sindh, a region renowned for its high-quality textiles,” the authors wrote.
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“...the DNA traces found on the Shroud of Turin suggests the potentially extensive exposure of the cloth in the Mediterranean region and the possibility that the yarn was produced in India,” they added. The study titled “DNA Traces on the Shroud of Turin: Metagenomics of the 1978 Official Sample Collection.” Gianni Barcaccia from the University of Padova, Italy, led the study.
The shroud, about 4.4 metres long and 1.1 metres wide, is widely regarded as one of Christianity's most famous and contested relics. First recorded in France in 1354, it has been housed at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Turin, Italy, for almost 500 years.
According to the researchers, the shroud has retained a remarkable variety of DNA from different eras, stretching from medieval times to the present day. The material points to contact with domestic animals and farm species, including cats, dogs, poultry and livestock, as well as wild creatures such as deer and rabbits.
The study also identified traces of fish like grey mullet and Atlantic cod, in addition to crustaceans, flies, aphids and arachnids, including dust mites and ticks.
However, researchers were unable to establish precisely when these plant and animal contaminants were introduced. “The Shroud came into contact with multiple individuals, thereby challenging the possibility of identifying the original DNA of the Shroud,” the study adds.
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