The herringbone weave of the Turin Shroud is more consistent with ancient than medieval times.

The Shroud of Turin is a herringbone woven cloth measuring 1.21m by 4.42m (4ftx14ft), stained with human blood and appears to show the imprint of a crucified man.

The apparent image of Jesus's bearded face was not noticed until the end of the 19th Century when it appeared in an amateur photograph.

In 1988, carbon dating experts concluded that the shroud originated in the 14th Century and thus could not be an imprint of Jesus.

But Bruno Barberis, director of the International Centre of Sindonology in Turin, which is dedicated to the study of the Shroud, still believes the cloth is genuine.