Lapis Lazuli Particles on the Turin Shroud: Microscopic Optical Studies and SEM-EDX Analyses

Abstract

We have studied by optical microscopy and SEM-EDX lapis lazuli particles adhering to a sample of the Turin Shroud. A total number of seventy lapis lazuli particles (and sub-particles) were found on the surface of this sample, and were characterized in details: they are little particles (of between 0.1 and 15 µm of maximal length), of blue colour, and with a spectrum of chemical elements identical to that of the lapis Lazuli mineral. We hypothetise that these particles are residues of painting layers of lapis lazuli that covered initially the Turin Shroud.

Iron-Rich Red Clays on the Turin Shroud: Optical Microscopy Studies and SEM-EDX Analyses

“…We have obtained a small triangular sticky tape that was sample d on its surface (corresponding to the Face of this body) and we concentrated in the past years on the study of microscopic organic structures located on the surface of this sticky tape, including: linen fibers (Lucotte, 2015a), pollens and spores (Lucotte, 2015b), red blood cells (Lucotte, 2015c), skin debris (Lucotte, 2016), an hair fragment (Lucotte & Thomasset, 2017a) and osseous remains (Lucotte & Thomasset, 2017b). More recently, we published gold and silver particles (Lucotte, 2022a), and lapis lazuli particles (Lucotte & Thomasset, 2023), detected on the surface of the triangle.…”