Shroud of Turin

High school (ages 12+)
Philosophy & Big Questions

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/shroud-of-turin

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the textile type?Herringbone twill weave linen
2. What is the image depiction?Full-body anterior and posterior image of a man, consistent with crucifixion wounds
3. How did people first see the picture on the cloth?In 1898, a photographer named Secondo Pia took pictures of the cloth. His photos turned the picture into a sharp, almost 3‑dimensional image when looked at as a black‑and‑white negative.
4. Why do scientists think the shroud might be old or fake?Scientists have tested the cloth in many ways. Some tests say the picture was made with paint by a medieval artist, while others say the cloth is from the Middle Ages, not from the time of Jesus.

Iconography: The visual images and symbols used in the study or interpretation of art.
Sepia Tone: A brownish color, often associated with old photographs.
Forensic Analysis: The application of scientific methods to investigate crimes or historical mysteries.