No, actually Linen is very tough material. It was not uncommon for linen bed clothes to last for generations. Often the linens were major portions of the inheritance of a family's wealth. This was when a single bed sheet could represent the hard work of several tradesmen, growers, spinners, fullers, weavers, dyers, bleachers. A cloth like the Shroud, over 14 feet long, woven on a wall loom, could take a skilled weaver several weeks worth of labor to create.
In household use true; I am thinking of a scenario where exposed to mold and mildew. For example the way the prophet Ezekiel (iirc without checking the bible first) got a linen sash or belt, then stowed it at God’s direction in the rocks by a river. Later he was told to go fetch it, and the way it had been ruined was used by God as an example of how Israel had become useless to Him.
Wonderful information, Swordmaker! How did you learn this about how shrouds were made? I would like to read a book on this subject.
I would think that wealthy Joseph of Arimanthea would provide a fine linen shroud for Christ’s burial; possibly the one he had in readiness for his own death, like the tomb he had ready.
It just makes sense, don’t you think? There is so much about the Shroud that is amazing. Arguments against it seem so weak to me.