ABSTRACT
From the analysis of the historical developments of the different depictions of Christ and from some direct, also objective, comparisons with the Shroud face, it will be demonstrated, with reasonable certainty, that the Shroud was the reference image starting from the seventh century, not just for the Byzantine population. Since other face features like the big and close eyes are similar to the Shroud image, it can be thought to a Shroud-like image concealed by purpose, maybe for reasons linked to the Byzantine iconoclasm that was already evident in that period. According to Mario Moroni, the Shroud disappeared from Constantinople in order to be protected during the struggles, and it was carried to Edessa in 754, where it was kept till 944, and then it was brought back to the Byzantine capital.
