I’ve studied this extensively. I agree with Hawkins’ debunking if the debunking. A few other points in favor of authenticity: 1. I think that the shroud, including the herringbone pattern,is plainly depicted in the Pray Codex, circa 1200, before the earliest C14 date. 2. The studies of pollen grains showing pollen from plants along the believed route of the shroud over the centuries: Israel, Asia Minor, Constantinople, Greece, France, Italy. Prevailing winds in the Mediterranean basin are westerly so there is no way that pollen from Israel could have migrated to Europe to deposit on the cloth. 3. Even beyond the other visual phenomena, in the photos I can see what is interpreted as a coin in the anatomical right eye. It’s identical to a certain type of coin issued by Pontius Pilate, and in fact there exist examples of a subset of the coin that has a misspelling. The image on the shroud is one of these. That level of detail by a forger is literally impossible to contemplate
Concerning the coin in the anatomical right eye : the placing of coins over the eyes of the deceased was a long-time heathen practice. It was to provide the dead with a means to pay the boatman for the crossing of the River Styx. Now, why in the foggy blue morning would ANY follower of Christ do something so demonic? Read Matt. 22:21 - this is an account of Christ’s response to whether or not it was lawful to pay taxes to the Roman Empire. Spoiler alert : Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and to God that which is God’s. Placing coins with Pontius Pilate’s inscription on Christ’s eyes is indisputably Satanic in nature. The Biblical account of the discovery of the empty tomb speaks of the shroud and the napkin but curiously does NOT mention any coins ( see John 20:1-7 ). You might think such an important RELIC would merit a comment .. . May God bless you all.
Actual coins and bills and even works of are are forged all of the time. The shroud doesn't have the clarity of any such object. To say it can't be faked is not scholarly.