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

Hair Color Has Nothing to do with Light

The reason that the hair appears blond in the images may have nothing to do with ethnicity and everything to do with chemistry. Rogers has suggested:

I believe that the most important effect of the hair was to impede the diffusion of gases (vapors). This would concentrate them in the area of the hair. More would diffuse through the cloth in that area. A higher concentration of vapors from the nose and mouth would appear on the back side of the cloth in back of the hair. I still believe that diffusion of gases can explain many of the observations on the image and its chemistry.

The idea that the man of the shroud looks European is highly subjective. Take a few minutes to read skeptical accounts on the Internet and you will see over and over that it the gaunt appearance, combined with the whitish hair that conveys that impression. You will also read statements like, “I read that Leonardo da Vinci photographed it,” or “I heard it has been proven to be a painting,” or “carbon dating proved it’s a fake,” or “linen is biodegradable and can’t last 2000 years.” I suppose linen found with the Dead Sea Scroll or the wrappings of mummies from 4500 years ago don’t count. But the indo-European appearance resonates with many people. But does appearance equate to reality?