The lower extremities of the man of the
Shroud are visible both on the anterior and on the posterior imprint. Some characteristic
signs of scourge wounds are evident on the limbs. Some escoriations on the knees were
caused probably by the fact that the man might have collapsed to the ground various times.
In the knees and feet areas there are actual traces of soil. It is important to notice
that the left knee was fixed by the rigor mortis in a position that is more flected than
that of the right knee. For this reason, in the imprint, the left limb looks shorter than
the right one.
The feet are
clearly visible in the posterior imprint, while, on the anterior one, there is an evident
blood stain that does not allow us to distinguish the outline of the limb. The right sole
is clearly imprinted while only the heel area of the left sole is visible. This suggest
that the crucifixion took place using just one nail, driven through both feet, that were
laid one upon the other. On the right sole we can note the hole made by the nail that
pierced the feet. Rivulets of blood flew downward, from this area to the toes. Other signs
of blood flows go toward the heel, supposedly they developed when the body was descended
from the cross and laid in a horizontal position. |