Shroud of Turin DNA Analysis Yields Unexpected Finding

The Shroud of Turin is one of history's most analyzed and discussed artifacts.

The Shroud of Turin "is a centuries old linen cloth that bears the image of a crucified man. A man that millions believe to be Jesus of Nazareth," a website devoted to the Shroud of Turin says.

"Is it really the cloth that wrapped his crucified body, or is it simply a medieval forgery, a hoax perpetrated by some clever artist? Modern science has completed hundreds of thousands of hours of detailed study and intense research on the Shroud. It is, in fact, the single most studied artifact in human history, and we know more about it today than we ever have before."

In fact, new DNA testing on the Shroud yielded some interesting and unexpected results.

The DNA Analysis Sheds Light on Where the Shroud of Turin Traveled

Posted on March 22, 2026, the DNA analysis results were revealed in a study called, "DNA Traces on the Shroud of Turin: Metagenomics of the 1978 Official Sample Collection."

"This research provides original insights into the diversity of DNA extracted from samples collected in 1978 from the Turin Shroud, revealing its biological complexity through rigorous DNA and metagenomic analyses," the researchers found.

The Vatican posted about the findings and declared, "The Holy Shroud of Turin passed through the Middle East. The scientists confirm the presence of a genome predominantly from the Middle East and show that microorganisms thriving in extremely saline environments, such as the Dead Sea, were detected."

As Ancient Origins noted: "The latest DNA study of the Shroud of Turin has revealed that nearly 40% of the human genetic material found on the famous linen traces back to Indian lineages, raising the startling possibility that the cloth may have originated in the ancient Indus Valley." The site called the findings "shocking."

Previously, researchers documented "the discovery of DNA contamination from people who had touched the Shroud: over 55.6% from the Near East, around 38.7% from India, while Europeans accounted for less than 5.6%," Vatican News wrote. "The presence of Indian DNA can be explained by the presence of fine Indian linen at the Temple of Jerusalem, used for the garments of the High Priest, who wore them during the afternoon rituals of Yom Kippur."

According to the Vatican, in the new researcher, scientists determined that the "presence of approximately 38.7% of Indian ethnic lineages could result from historical interactions or the importation of linen by the Romans from regions near the Indus Valley, associated with the term ‘Hindoyin’ in rabbinical texts. In particular, the term ‘Shroud,’ derived from the Greek ‘Sindôn,’ meaning fine linen, could be linked to Sindh, a region renowned for its high-quality textiles." They added: "Historical evidence supports commercial connections between India and the Mediterranean, highlighting the importance of these textiles and inviting further exploration of ancient cultural interactions and trade practices."

"Our analyses revealed several human mtDNA lineages, including one common in Western Eurasia and another prevalent in the Near East. Additionally, the diversity of animal and plant species identified details the significant environmental contamination of the Shroud that likely occurred in recent centuries, particularly following the voyages of Marco Polo and Christopher Columbus," the reseachers noted. "Radiocarbon dating of two distinct textile residuals from the Shroud’s reliquary indicated a time range between 1451 and 1800 CE, overlapping with the period of its repair interventions."

"Additionally, the presence of abundant Mediterranean endemic red coral, various cultivated plants (e.g. carrot, wheat, corn, bananas, and peanuts) and domesticated animals (e.g. cattle, pigs, chickens, dogs, and cats) provide a fascinating glimpse into the diverse biological sources of the contaminants that have accumulated on the Turin Shroud over time," they added.

The Origins of the Shroud of Turin Remain a Mystery

The DNA researchers wrote: "The true nature of the Shroud has been highly debated among historians, theologians, and scientists. Several hypotheses regarding its origin have been proposed, but as of today, no one has yet been able to establish to any degree of certainty when and where this textile originated from. The only historical fact that has been recorded is that the Shroud has been in Europe since the mid-14th century, when it first appeared in Lirey, France, between 1353 and 1357."

Over the years, other scientific tests have been conducted on the Shroud. "The Turin Shroud, measuring 14.5 feet by 3.7 feet, contains a faint image of a man with wounds that appear to be from crucifixion," Archaeology magazine explained.

"It has been assumed for centuries that it wrapped the body of Jesus when he died over 2,000 years ago. Controversy, however, has surrounded its origins since the cloth first appeared in the 14th century," the magazine noted.

"A 1989 radiocarbon dating test placed the origins of the shroud between 1260 and 1390 CE, in the medieval period. While later researchers disputed those findings, suggesting that the sample had possibly come from a repaired section of the cloth, the issue remains unresolved."

Another scientist conducted digital imagery and "highlighted that while it remains remotely possible that the image might have originated from a real body, the evidence supports the view that the Shroud was an artistic creation," added Archaeology Magazine.

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