'Experiments conducted by scientists at the University of Padua in northern Italy have dated the shroud to ancient times, a few centuries before and after the life of Christ.
Many Catholics believe that the 14ft-long linen cloth, which bears the imprint of the face and body of a bearded man, was used to bury Christ's body when he was lifted down from the cross after being crucified 2,000 years ago.
The analysis is published in a new book, "Il Mistero della Sindone" or The Mystery of the Shroud, by Giulio Fanti, a professor of mechanical and thermal measurement at Padua University, and Saverio Gaeta, a journalist.'
An earlier examination from 1988 dated the shroud from approx. 1300 A.D., but many experts believe those findings to be flawed.
If indeed the Shroud of Turin is a forgery, the motivation of the person or people responsible for this hoax is obvious.
However, regardless of when the shroud was created, or by whom, I've always been puzzled as to why a forger, in a day and age long before photography, or a practical use for negative imagery, would go to great lengths to create such a benign - nearly unremarkable - image, in order to accomplish their deception. I would think a forger would present an exhibition slightly more remarkable or impressive in appearance for the conviction that this is indeed Christ's burial wrap.
