5 Key Takeaways

• 1

  DNA analysis of 12 Shroud of Turin specimens found that most genetic material reflected modern handling and environmental exposure.

• 2

  More than 98% of the short DNA fragments lacked molecular damage patterns generally associated with ancient DNA, and testing detected modern contamination.

• 3

  The predominant mitochondrial lineage matched that of 1978 sample collector Pierluigi Baima Bollone, while mixed DNA prevented attribution to an original individual.

• 4

  The samples contained skin-associated microbes and diverse plant and animal DNA, including crops introduced to Europe during or after the Middle Ages.

• 5

  Metagenomic testing could not determine whether the Shroud was medieval or approximately 2,000 years old; dated casket threads corresponded to documented repairs.