New DNA analysis has revealed a remarkably complex biological record preserved on the Shroud of Turin, adding fresh detail to the history of one of the world’s most closely examined and controversial historical artifacts.
Published in Scientific Reports, the study is the first to use advanced genomic sequencing methods (rigorous PCR-free next-generation metagenomic sequencing) on official samples taken from the Shroud in 1978. By examining genomic DNA embedded in the linen fibers, researchers produced the most detailed account yet of the biological material that accumulated on the cloth through centuries of handling and environmental exposure.
A Complex Archive of Human and Environmental DNA
Professor Noemi Procopio, Professor of Forensic Science at the University of Lancashire, contributed to the international collaborative project. The team detected several human mitochondrial DNA lineages, as well as a diverse microbiome made up of bacteria, fungi and salt-loving microorganisms.
Researchers also found DNA from cultivated plants, domesticated animals and Mediterranean red coral. These traces point to the wide range of environments, objects and people that may have come into contact with the Shroud during its long history.
The findings are not intended to establish the Shroud’s age or authenticity. Instead, they show how forensic genomics and proteomics can be used to reconstruct the biological history of culturally significant objects.
Because the cloth has been touched and exposed to different environments for centuries, the researchers said it is not possible to isolate any original DNA that may once have been present. Even so, advanced metagenomic techniques can still provide useful information about the Shroud’s preservation, environmental exposure and cultural journey.
DNA From Plants, Animals and Microorganisms
Alongside microorganisms commonly found on human skin, the team identified fungi and salt-adapted archaea. DNA from a wide variety of plant and animal species was also present.
The plant material included cultivated wheat, carrots, maize, bananas and peanuts. Animal DNA came from cattle, pigs, chickens, dogs and cats. Taken together, these biological signatures offer new clues about how the Shroud was handled, stored and moved between different geographic regions over time.
Professor Noemi Procopio, Professor of Forensic Science at the University of Lancashire, said: “The Shroud of Turin continues to fascinate historians, scientists and the public, and we’re thrilled to reveal new information about the biological complexity preserved within samples collected almost 50 years ago by applying new cutting-edge forensic DNA technologies.
“The Shroud represents a rich archive of genetic information that has accumulated over centuries of human interaction and environmental exposure. While the DNA evidence cannot answer all the questions about the age or authenticity of the cloth, it provides novel insights into its biological history and demonstrates how advances in forensic science can unlock new information from historical artifacts.”