Shroud of Turin DNA sheds light on its biological history
Researchers have used advanced metagenomic sequencing on the Shroud of Turin to analyze biological traces preserved in its fibers. The study identified a diverse range of DNA from humans, plants, and animals, providing insight into the artifact's environmental history rather than its authenticity.
Why it matters
This research demonstrates how modern forensic science can extract historical and environmental data from ancient artifacts, even when the original source material is contaminated.
edited by Sadie Harley , reviewed by Robert Egan
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Add as preferred source Shroud of Turing. Credit: CC0, Public Domain New research has uncovered the complex biological history preserved within DNA traces found on the Shroud of Turin, offering fresh insights into one of the world's most studied and debated historical artifacts.
Published in Scientific Reports , the study is the first to apply advanced genomic sequencing methods (rigorous PCR-free next-generation metagenomic sequencing) to official samples collected from the Shroud in 1978. By analyzing genomic DNA preserved within the linen fibers, the research offers the most comprehensive picture to date of the biological signatures left behind through centuries of human contact and biological exposure.
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