The Sudarium - A Forensic Cold Case.pdf
10 The Scientific Investigation.mp3
The provided text delves into The Scientific Investigation of the Sudarium of Oviedo, a cloth believed to have covered the head of Jesus after his death on the cross. It emphasizes how modern scientific methods, akin to forensic criminal investigations, can provide robust evidence for historical artifacts, even when traditional documentation is scarce or flawed. This document details the extensive analyses performed on the Sudarium, including studies of its textile morphology, pollen and other substances found on the cloth, wrinkles, holes, and forensic blood analysis. Key findings reveal the cloth is an ancient linen from the Roman Empire, which shows human blood of AB type mixed with pulmonary edema fluid indicative of asphyxiation, and contains pollens consistent with a journey through the Mediterranean and Palestine. Furthermore, the analysis determined specific details about the deceased, such as a beard, moustache, and long hair, and the manner of death, including post-mortem blood flow and vital blood from puncture wounds consistent with a crown of thorns, suggesting prior mistreatment. The collective scientific data overwhelmingly supports the authenticity of the Sudarium and its consistency with biblical accounts of the crucifixion.
The Sudarium is a rectangular linen cloth, measuring 85.5 by 52.6 centimeters, or approximately 34 by 21 inches. Its edges are irregular, lacking selvages, and the cloth itself does not contain any dyes. The linen is composed of taffeta ligaments, with its threads twisted in a Z-shape, representing the simplest form of weave. It is considered to be a fairly coarse and inexpensive fabric. This is consistent with the type of Jewish Prayer Shawls worn by men, usually around the waist, during Jesus’ time.
The cloth exhibits a number of manufacturing defects, including loops, basting stitches resulting from a lack of tension during weaving, and instances where parallel and adjacent threads have crossed. These characteristics suggest it is an ancient linen cloth, possibly produced on a vertical loom with weights. No other natural fibers like cotton or wool, nor any type of printing, have been detected on it.
Obverse side of the Sudarium, as it is currently being shown to the public.
Currently, the Sudarium is sewn to a taut base of white cloth and mounted on a stretcher, which is finished with a silver frame that rests directly on the cloth without touching the relic itself. It lacks additional protection, leaving the linen exposed. Historically, it was fastened with silver tacks, later replaced by iron ones, which have left oxide marks along its borders. Typically, the shorter dimensions of the rectangle are displayed in a vertical position, with a seam in a torn area situated at the upper end. The side publicly displayed is referred to as the obverse, while the side not visible is the reverse. The reverse side, which was in direct contact with the face of the crucifixion victim, shows a much greater degree of contamination and dirtier folds, indicating it was traditionally exposed to the public.
The cloth is marked by numerous stains, primarily clear brown in color and varying in intensity. These stains are human blood, type AB, mixed with pulmonary edema fluid in a one-to-six ratio of blood to fluid, giving them a "washed-out" appearance. The stains can be broadly categorized into several groups.
The most prominent are the principal stains, which form two symmetrical geometrical figures located in the central area. These are extensive, well-defined, and darker than other stains, saturating all four surfaces of the linen. They conform to the facial features of the victim, indicating they were formed when the cloth was folded back on itself as it was wrapped around the head. These principal stains were formed by post-mortem blood, meaning the blood flowed after death, originating from the nose and mouth. Studies of these stains suggest the head was inclined 20 degrees to the right and between 70 to 115 degrees forward in relation to the vertical axis, implying distinct body positions during their formation. Within these major stains, distinct minor stains are also visible, formed later than the main contour.
Another group of stains appears as dots, found in the area of the cloth that covered the base of the neck. These were formed by vital blood, indicating the bleeding occurred from puncture wounds about an hour before death, consistent with wounds from a crown of thorns. There is also a trapezoidal stain, believed to have been formed by a closed fist exerting pressure on the nose to contain blood flow.