Influence of ultraviolet radiation on the color of blood stains embedded in the archaeological textile known as the Shroud of Turin (original) (raw)
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Applied Optics vol. 57, pp. 6626-6631 , 2018
The unique reddish blood stains on the archaeological cloth known as the Shroud of Turin caught the attention of several scholars, who proposed different hypotheses to explain the unusual blood color. To date, just few hypotheses have been tested experimentally, and the results are debatable. In this paper we test the strength of two hypotheses (namely, the presence of carboxyhemoglobin and the long term influence of ultraviolet light on high-bilirubin blood) by the spectral reflectance of the blood stain regions on the Shroud and by color analyses of ultraviolet irradiated high-bilirubin blood stains on linen. The relevance of these simple methods to the study of stained textiles is discussed.
SHS web of conference, vol. 15, 00005 (2015) edited by B. Barberis, F. Lattarulo, P. Di Lazzaro, D. Petri., 2015
We present new experimental results on ultraviolet laser processing of linen fabrics that complete and update the previous studies at the ENEA Research Centre of Frascati seeking a coloration mechanism able to reproduce the microscopic complexity of the body images embedded onto the Shroud of Turin. The achievement of a Shroud-like coloration of linens by using vacuum ultraviolet light pulses allowed to recognize the main photochemical reactions possibly involved in the coloration process. The identification of these reactions offered hints for long-term conservation measures of the body images on the Shroud of Turin. Finally, we discuss how image processing of photographs of the Shroud may cause misleading effects, which led some researchers to perceive, e.g., inscriptions and a second face on the backside of the cloth, which are unlikely to be on the Shroud, confirming that there is a narrow boundary between image enhancement and manipulation.
Deep Ultraviolet Radiation Simulates the Turin Shroud Image
Journal of Imaging Science and Technology 54, 040302-(6) (2010), 2010
The faint yellowed body image embedded into the linen cloth of the Turin Shroud has peculiar chemical and physical characteristics that at the moment cannot be replicated all together in laboratory. The authors present experimental results of ArF excimer laser irradiation (wavelength 193 nm) of a raw linen fabric, seeking for coloration similar to that of the Shroud image. The authors achieved a permanent yellow coloration of linen as a threshold effect of the laser beam intensity and number of shots. Most important, the authors have achieved for the first time a submicrometer depth of coloration of the outermost part of the fibers, leaving a colorless fiber medulla. The authors also obtained latent coloration that appears after artificial aging of linen following laser irradiation that at first did not generate any visible effect. The authors have recognized different physical and chemical processes involved in both coloration and latent coloration. The comparison of the Turin Shroud image with the results of our ArF laser irradiation shows an interesting overlap of the main physical and chemical features.
Coloring linens with excimer lasers to simulate the body image of the Turin Shroud
Applied Optics 47, 1278-1283 (2008), 2008
The body image of the Turin Shroud has not yet been explained by traditional science; so a great interest in a possible mechanism of image formation still exists. We present preliminary results of excimer laser irradiation (wavelength of 308 nm) of a raw linen fabric and of a linen cloth. The permanent coloration of both linens is a threshold effect of the laser beam intensity, and it can be achieved only in a narrow range of irradiation parameters, which are strongly dependent on the pulse width and time sequence of laser shots. We also obtained the first direct evidence of latent images impressed on linen that appear in a relatively long period (one year) after laser irradiation that at first did not generate a clear image. The results are compared with the characteristics of the Turin Shroud, reflecting the possibility that a burst of directional ultraviolet radiation may have played a role in the formation of the Shroud image. © 2008 Optical Society of America
THE CONSERVATION OF THE SHROUD OF TURIN: OPTICAL STUDIES
Energia Ambiente Innovazione Special issue on conservation of cultural heritage, pp. 89-94, 2012
The ancient linen cloth of the Shroud of Turin is one of the most studied archaeological objects in history, mainly because of the unexplained nature of its image. We have recently irradiated linen fabrics by excimer laser pulses obtaining a Shroud-like coloration, nd have recognized photo-chemical processes that may have played a role in the formation of the image embedded into the Shroud. Our results suggest some actions aimed at a long-term conservation of the Shroud and of its image
Textile Spectroscopy Data with Applications to the Shroud of Turin
In this paper we show that the brief application of mild acids, scorched linen and cotton have little effect on their DRIFTS IR spectra and further that the spectra of pristine linen, cotton and other cellulosic fibers are nearly indistinguishable. Ultimate identification with regard to species should be determined with reference to morphological characteristics; a conclusion which might bear on future radiocarbon studies. We enclose 2 Triclinic Labs independent research reports that underscore these assertions. The author's laboratory FTIR data is compared to IR spectral data taken during the 1978 STRP investigations although the STRP data is not considered definitive enough to draw any significant conclusions regarding the Shroud of Turin's chemical constituents.
Superficial and Shroud-like coloration of linen by short laser pulses in the vacuum ultraviolet
Applied Optics, Optical Society of America, vol. 51, pp. 8567-8578 (2012), 2012
We present a survey on five-years experiments of excimer laser irradiation of linen fabrics, seeking for a coloration mechanism able to reproduce the microscopic complexity of the body image embedded onto the Shroud of Turin. We achieved a superficial, Shroud-like coloration in a narrow range of irradiation parameters. We also obtained latent coloration that appears after artificial or natural aging of linen following laser irradiations that at first did not generate any visible effect. Most importantly, we have recognized photo-chemical processes that account for both coloration and latent coloration
A Ray of Light on the Shroud of Turin
Proceedings of the Conference “FIAT LUX – Let there be Light”, E. Fazio and R. Pascual, eds., Nova Science Publishers (Hauppauge, NY). http://www.fiatluxconference.com/
The Shroud of Turin is a linen cloth bearing the front and back body images of what appears to be a crucified man. Although it is considered one of the archaeological objects most studied in history, nobody has been able to replicate the microscopic complexity of the chemical and physical characteristics of its faint images. After countless attempts, the inability to replicate the image on the Shroud prevents formulating a reliable hypothesis on the process of the image formation. In this paper we summarize the state-of-the art of the scientific research on the Shroud, from the multidisciplinary STuRP analyses (1978) to the radiocarbon dating (1988), from biological clues to the linen irradiation experiments at the ENEA, till the illusory perception of low contrast stains on the Shroud. As detailed in this paper, despite huge scientific efforts, the Shroud is still “a challenge to our intelligence”, a remarkable object whose scientific analyses lead to many clues, but any proof.
A Simple, Natural Mechanism for the Transfer of Dry Bloodstains onto the Shroud of Turin
International Journal of Archaeology, 2023
The Shroud of Turin is a large linen cloth that bears the faint image of a crucified man containing bloodstains corresponding to scourging and crucifixion. Although the Shroud has been heralded as the most studied archaeological object in the world, the nature and origin of the image remains enigmatic, with explanations ranging from the natural to the supernatural. The bloodstains have been demonstrated to contain authentic blood components including hemoglobin, albumin, and immunoglobulin, although the species of origin remains to be determined. Controversy exists regarding the proposed blood transfer from a body to the cloth, particularly if certain bloodstains occurred in a dry state. The suggestion has been made that dried blood was thrust onto the cloth by a brief radiation burst emitted from the body, although demonstration of such a process is lacking. Here, a simple, natural mechanism is shown that could account for the imprinting of dried bloodstains onto the Shroud. Specifically, these studies examine the idea that temperature and humidity conditions like those described for a cave tomb environment are sufficient for the rehydration and transfer of dry blood stains. Moreover, these data demonstrate that high humidity imprinting faithfully represents the original patterns of dried blood and dried serum stains on skin.