blackened areas are still clearly visible around them. There are also four sets of three round burn-holes dating from before the 1532 fire, which are generally known as 'poker marks,' because that is what they are widely thought to have been. The four sets line up when the cloth is folded, so many believe they were made at the same time, possibly in an attempt to test the Shroud's authenticity by subjecting it to 'trial by fire.' The burn marks, whatever their significance, are not the reason that people look upon the Shroud. It is the image that attracts all the attention, for is it not truly the image of the Lord Jesus Christ? Down the center of the cloth, taking up nearly 4meters of its total length are two images showing the front and back of a naked, well-proportioned man. The cloth is believed to be a winding sheet, which means that the corpse would have been laid on one half, and his front covered with the other. The man is bearded, with very long hair hanging down past the shoulders at the back, and stopping at shoulder-length at the front. The hands are modestly crossed over the groin region. The sole of one foot, darkened with what appears to be blood, is clearly outlined on the image of the back. Also, there are small, pierced wounds on the head, and a round one on the only visible wrist – as if a nail had been driven through it. There is a wound as if from a large stab in the chest, blood from which also runs across the small of the back. The face appears to be swollen and contused, and over 100 scourge marks have been counted on the back. These wounds also curl around to the front of the body and legs.
             It was not until 1898 though, that serious interest in the Shroud was generated. It had previously been viewed as a curiosity because the image was too faint to make out clearly with the naked eye; the body seemed impossibly tall and thin, and the eyes looked 'owl-like...