Book description
Religious relics, defined as "either portions of or objects
connected with the body of a saint or other holy person," are
among the most revered items in the world. Christian relics such as
the Holy Grail, the True Cross, and the Lance of Longinus are also the
source of limitless controversy. Such items have incited people to
bloodshed and, some say, have been a source of miracles. Relics
inspire fear and hope among the faithful and yet are a perennial
target for skeptics, both secular and Christian. To research the
authenticity of numerous Christian relics, Joe Nickell takes a
scientific approach to a field of study all too often tainted by
premature conclusions. In this volume, Nickell investigates such
renowned relics as the Shroud of Turin, the multiple heads of John the
Baptist, and the supposedly incorruptible corpses of saints, first
examining the available evidence and documented history of each item.
From accounts of true believers to the testimony of the relics'
alleged fabricators, Nickell then presents all sides of each story,
allowing the evidence to speak for itself. For each relic, Nickell
evaluates both the corroborating and contradictory bodies of evidence
and explores whether the relic and attributed miracles can be
reconstructed. In addition to his own experiments, Nickell presents
findings from the world's top scientists and historians regarding
these controversial objects of reverence and ire, explaining the
circumstances under which each case was examined. Radiocarbon dating
and tests to determine the validity of substances such as blood or
patina indicate a variety of possible origins. Nickell even reveals
some of the techniques used to create archaeological forgeries and
explains how investigators have exposed them. Each relic is a mystery
to be solved; guided by the maxim, "extraordinary claims require
extraordinary proof," Nickell seeks only the truth.
""Thorough, fair and entertaining."" --
Journal of American Cultures
Joe Nickell, Senior Research Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical
Inquiry (CSI), is the author of more than twenty investigative books,
including Secrets of the Sideshows and Real-Life X-Files:
Investigating the Paranormal.
