The Ethnocultural Significance for the Use of Plants in Ancient Funerary Rituals and its Possible Implications With Pollens Found on the Shroud of Turin

Abstract

On the occasion of the exposition of the Holy Shroud of Turin in 2010, and after visiting the 'Museo de la Sindone' (Turin), I was interested in the palynological investigations that had been realized, supposing that they had come to unquestionable conclusions. After reviewing them, I noticed that the pollen identifications had not been studied with the greatest rigor and the ethnocultural meaning that was pointing to their presence was not well understood. Knowing that the observation of the adhesive tapes collected by Max Frei in the years 1973 and 1978 or other original material was unavailable at the moment, I made my study through observation of published pollen photos on the Shroud and the comparison with my own samples. My doctoral research has treated about the description of more than one hundred types of pollens of endemic plants from the Balearic Islands (Spain), giving me the opportunity to reveal that among the pollen of the Shroud, there is a copy, difficult to classify and recognize, which belongs to the Asteraceae family that may have been key in preparing the body during the funeral ritual. Other described pollens on the Shroud, which appear in counts with significant values, would also confirm the practiced ritual. The plants used in the funeral rites have witnessed, through pollen, the moment of death, which have been ethno culturally significant, reflecting the time in which the story begins of that funeral attire. The presence of these pollen guides on the fabric reveal the application of oils, balms and ointments, also explaining why it has been kept in excellent condition to this day. These small remnants, trapped for centuries, now become valuable items that may provide clues to the moments that occurred more than two thousand years and which are still shrouded in mystery. 1. From the Bible and other sources: what kind of plants were used 2000 years ago in funeral and grave rites? The Bible cites around 130 plant species and more than 500 citations of essential oils and fragrances and medicinal plants, although it does not detail botanical formulas, particularly against incantations or magical practices. The medical oils of the Bible are: aloe,