The shroud they believe is the linen cloth that covered Jesus body and imprinted in the fabric is his face...

In 1988 carbon dating exposed it as a medieval fake, but is there new evidence to suggest otherwise?

Back in 1978 a group of scientists were given access for five days to see how the image got on the shroud. The analysis on the fire damage parts of the cloth done in 1532, showed no sign of painting, and the water used to put the fire out did not move any of the image.

The image also showed bleeding marks in the cloth, and it was proven it was the chemical signature for real blood. UV photography also showed serum stains around the blood stains bringing only one conclusion, the image was created by a real body. But was it Jesus Christ?

So in 1988 scientists again were given permission to cut a fragment of the cloth for carbon dating. The result was devestating for many, the shroud was dated between 1260 - 1390.

Despite this evidence many still believed it to be the shroud of Christ. A 3D imaging expert took the image of the face and created a three dimensional vision. Publication of the image ignited new interest.

A couple in Ohio, set out to prove the carbon dating wrong. They say the section that was chosen for the sample was contaminated with later materials. It fact analysis did show that it was repaired in the 16th century and was invisible to the naked eye. Textile experts who didn't know where the sample had come from, said, 'it looks like it had been rewoven'.

Further analysis of the cotton fibres confirmed that cotton had been interwoven with the original thus making the carbon dating inaccurate.

The charred fragments of linen on the shroud are now the only hope of conclusive carbon dating, but will the Vatican release the shroud once again so more samples can be taken?

The mystery is still unsolved.....