Posted on 04/26/2017 2:52:31 AM PDT by NYer
In an interview with RCF Liège, the numismatist Agostino Sferrazza addressed the old question on the coins that cover the eyes of the Man of the Shroud. According to his conclusions, these pieces must have been coined in the days of Pontius Pilate, circa the year 29. This could constitute an additional proof of the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin.
Back in 1976, the hypothesis of the presence of coins covering the eyes of the Man of the Shroud was first introduced, thanks to a 3D projection of the mysterious image. In it, scientists note the presence of small bulges on the ocular orbit bones which wouldn’t match any possible morphological particularities. The hypothesis states these might have been leptons: small coins of low value that were common in Palestine in Roman times.
These initial observations were pushed further. Using advanced technologies, researchers have tried to identify drawings and inscriptions on these alleged coins. On the disc covering the right eye, apparently a “lituus” (a curved augural staff used in Roman religion) can be observed. On the disc over left eye, we find a sacrificial cup. Those who refute the authenticity of the are expected to also refute this theory quite vigorously, suggesting that those who want the Shroud to be dated to the time of Christ are “willing themselves” to see the imprint coins where only simple interwoven textile fibers are to be found.
But these refutations can be contrasted with further evidence. Besides the drawings, researchers have managed to read the letters UKAI in the coins. This is thought to be the visible part of the word “TIBERIOUCAIKAROS,” Greek for Tiberius Caesar; that is, Emperor Tiberius. This would be a strong indication that these coins are comparable with other currencies from the Roman era, and might indeed be pieces that were being used at the time of Jesus’ Passion.
In his interview with RCF Liège, Agostino Sferrazza supports the theory of the authenticity of the pieces and dates them to the time of Pontius Pilate. This theory is based on the images produced by computer scientist Nello Balossino, an associate professor at the Turin Faculty of Sciences, who succeeded in bringing out an image of the sacrificial cup on the right eye of the Man of the Shroud. According to Agostino Sferazza, there is no doubt: these pieces were indeed coined in 29 AD.
This article was originally published in Aleteia’s French Edition.
If the suggestion were correct, one would expect to find at least a single reference by early Christians to support it. Instead we find scores of quotations from Church Fathers indicating a desire to distance themselves from pagan religions.
Although the date of Christ’s birth is not given to us in Scripture, there is documented evidence that December 25 was already of some significance to Christians prior to A.D. 354. One example can be found in the writings of Hyppolytus of Rome, who explains in his Commentary on the book of Daniel (c. A.D. 204) that the Lord’s birth was believed to have occurred on that day:
For the first advent of our Lord in the flesh, when he was born in Bethlehem, was December 25th, Wednesday, while Augustus was in his forty-second year, but from Adam, five thousand and five hundred years. He suffered in the thirty-third year, March 25th, Friday, the eighteenth year of Tiberius Caesar, while Rufus and Roubellion were Consuls.
That still does not explain why anyone would be tending flocks in the fields at night when temperatures would drop below freezing. Even today shepherds do not do that. Why would they do such a thing in the first century? Something does not jibe with the facts of the real facts of life.
On the other hand, it would explain why it would be VERY necessary to find room at the Inn... when any other time one could sleep outside with not too much discomfort.
I think, as technology advances, we will learn more and more about the Shroud... and all if it will corroborate its authenticity.
Shepherds in the Bethlehem area, to this very day, keep their flocks out at night during all times of the year. Anyone visiting Bethlehem around Christmas time can still see the sheep outside with the shepherds.
“However, the Catholic Church only officially recorded its existence in A.D. 1353, when it showed up in a tiny church in Lirey,”
So the shroud just happens to show up exactly during the time frame of the C-14 dating which is 1260–1390 CE. Lol.
I science and rationalize as much as you apparently Myth bro...
You’re forgetting the catalytic effect of extremely high temperatures,
And go look at the shrowd: the fire damage is VERY extensive.
Also: You’re completely forgetting that radiation is logorythmic, not arithmatic.
Look, I’m not an expert on C14 dating. But I know what the experts said prior to the realization that they were looking at a patch. And I admitted that fact trumps all else.
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