'Jesus-Era' Shroud Discovered in Jerusalem

Field of Blood

First-of-its-kind find in Jerusalem casts further doubt

An ancient shroud found in a Jerusalem tomb confirms that the Turin Shroud, which supposedly wrapped Jesus, is a fake, according to a team of archeologists. The shroud, which they believe is typical of burial cloths of the time, is very different from the Turin version and involves a much simpler weave. The tomb and its contents have been conclusively dated to the time of Christ, the archeologists say.

The tomb was found in a cemetery known as the Field of Blood, where Judas Iscariot was said to have committed suicide. The shrouded body of a man was found in this sealed chamber of a cave in the Hinnom Valley, overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem. Its occupant's identity is unknown, although DNA analysis found that he suffered from leprosy—the earliest proven case, according to Israeli researchers—which may have been the reason why the tomb was sealed off, preserving the shroud for 2,000 years.

Ancient shrouds from the period have been found before in the Holy Land, but never in Jerusalem.

The Turin Shroud

Radiocarbon tests and artefacts found in the tomb prove almost beyond doubt that it was from the same time of Christ's death.

It was made with a simple two-way weave - not the twill weave used on the Turin Shroud, which textile experts say was introduced more than 1,000 years after Christ lived.

And instead of being a single sheet like the famous item in Turin, the Jerusalem shroud is made up of several sections, with a separate piece for the head.

Professor Shimon Gibson, the archaeologist who discovered the tomb, said ancient writings and contemporary shrouds from other areas had suggested this design, and the Jerusalem shroud finally provided the physical evidence.

The debate over the Turin Shroud will not go away. Last month a Vatican researcher said she had found the words 'Jesus Nazarene' on the shroud, proving it was the linen cloth which was wrapped around Christ's body.

By Rob Quinn
NEWSER