Metagenomic sequencing maps complex DNA traces on 1978 Shroud of Turin samples

Scientists applied PCR-free next-generation metagenomic sequencing to official Shroud of Turin fiber samples collected in 1978, SciTechDaily reports on research published in Scientific Reports. The linen still holds a complex record of biological material accumulated over centuries of handling and exposure. The analysis found several human mitochondrial DNA lineages and a diverse microbiome including bacteria, fungi, and salt-adapted microorganisms. Genetic material from cultivated plants, domesticated animals, and Mediterranean red coral also appeared, which the authors link to the cloth's long cultural journey rather than a single origin event. Professor Noemi Procopio of the University of Lancashire contributed to the international collaboration. The results do not establish when the Shroud was made or whether it is authentic; centuries of contact and contamination block isolation of DNA that could be confidently tied to the earliest history. Plant traces included cultivated wheat, carrots, corn, bananas, and peanuts, while animal traces included cattle, pigs, chickens, dogs, and cats. The study frames forensic genomics and proteomics as tools to reconstruct preservation, environmental exposure, and handling history of contested heritage objects. The paper DOI is 10.1038/s41598-026-60684-7.