What’s the big mystery behind the Shroud of Turin?

A recent study by Italian scientists finds the shroud does indeed date back to the time of Jesus Christ.

For centuries, debate has raged over whether the Shroud of Turin is in fact the original burial shroud of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion about 2,000 years ago. While many believe it to be the real thing, others have dismissed it as a medieval fake.

One of the most researched artefacts in history, the shroud has fascinated historians in part because of the debate about its true age but mostly because of the unexplained image of a crucified man that appears to be imprinted upon it.

This week, the results of a new investigation into the age of the shroud, which seem to show strong evidence that it does date back to the time of Jesus Christ, have thrown the artefact into the headlines once again.

Here’s more about the Shroud of Turin and the mystery behind it:

The shroud is a 4.3-by-1.2-metre (14-by-4ft) linen cloth, also called the Holy Shroud, bearing a faint image of a man. Many believe this to be an image of Jesus Christ after his execution and view the fabric as an important religious relic.