Why an Atheist Thinks the Shroud of Turin is the Real Deal

The Lepton

The word lepton means small or thin, and in Roman occupied Palestine, a lepton was always a low value coin, usually the smallest available denomination of a local currency. The Roman lepton was informally called a mite in the Greek-speaking parts of the Roman Empire; this use is seen in the New Testament.

Some researchers have identified images of lepta (coins), minted by Pontius Pilate for use by the Jewish population in Palestine, over both eyes of the Shroud of Turin face. But is the identification valid? Most shroud researchers, while agreeing that the Shroud of Turin is likely genuine, seriously doubt this identification.

In 1978, scientists, including John P. Jackson and Eric J. Jumper, while working with NASA's VP-8 (3D) Image Analyzer, discovered what appeared to be raised button-like shapes over each eye.