Shroud of Turin DNA analysis uncovers plant, animal and human genetic traces from multiple regions

A new genetic study of the Shroud of Turin, the relic venerated by many as the burial cloth of Jesus, identified DNA from at least 14 individuals and a wide range of plants, animals and marine organisms. Modern sequencing of residues collected in 1978 revealed human DNA with roughly 40% of the markers pointing to an Indian origin, suggesting the linen may have been sourced from the Indus Valley. The analysis also detected genetic signatures linked to a Druze individual from the Middle East and a profile likely belonging to the 1970s scientist who collected the samples.

The plant DNA includes tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, potatoes, pistachios, peanuts, bananas, peppers, corn, carrots and European carrot varieties first cultivated in the 15th‑16th centuries, while animal DNA spans dogs, cats, chickens, pigs, cattle, horses, rabbits and marine species such as Atlantic cod, mullet and Mediterranean red coral. These findings indicate the cloth has been exposed to diverse environments and materials over centuries, with some contaminants dating to post‑1492 New World contact. The study, published in Scientific Reports, offers new insights into the Shroud’s biological history without resolving its age or authenticity.