The Shroud of Turin has been making the rounds on social media after a recent study in the journal Bioarxiv, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, suggested that the garment that allegedly wrapped the body of Christ after the crucifixion contained evidence of Indian origin.
A study located at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy, showed that 40% of the DNA on the Shroud came from Indian bloodlines. These finds suggest that the mantle material may have come from the subcontinent and the Romans brought linen from the Indus Valley.
Thought to have been made between 1260 and 1390, according to a 1988 study, it was found to contain an abundance of both medieval and modern DNA. Professor of Genetics and Genomics Gianni Barcaccia and his team rejected the possibility that the so-called visage on the skirt belonged to Jesus Christ and conducted a study at the University of Padua to determine the true origin of the garment.
The study said: “The traces of DNA found on the Shroud of Turin indicate a potentially widespread exposure of the fabric in the Mediterranean region and the possibility that the yarn was made in India.”
Analysis of the mantle revealed traces of some species of fish such as mullet, cod and ray, along with genetic material from domestic cats and dogs, farm animals and wild animals such as deer and rabbits.
The Shroud of Turin has a complicated history with the report stating, “The Shroud has come into contact with many individuals, casting doubt on the ability to identify the Shroud’s original DNA.”
Pointing to the Indian origin of the substance, he added: “Our findings highlight its (shell) preservation conditions and environmental interactions, which offer valuable insights into the identified genetic variants that originate from multiple biological sources.”
First documented in France in 1354, the legendary 14.44-by-3.61-foot linen remains one of the most iconic and controversial Christian artifacts, according to New Scientist.
Reaction on social networks
Social networks were quick to notice this development and flooded the internet with a strong reaction.
One user wrote: “India did not exist at that time and the Shroud of Turin is the burial cloth of Jesus, the fiber of the cloth is linen most likely from Harappa (Citadel) located in Pakistan today.”
Another user commented, “Now Akhand Bharat will expand to Italy.”
A third user said: “Was Jesus Indian? 🫢 It also makes sense that Israel and India have the longest historical relationship.”
A fourth comment read: “So the Shroud is not Jesus as true Christians say according to the Scriptures. Jesus is not or was not Indian nor did he spend time in India.”
