1: the enigma of the holy shroud ............................... 13
2: the sacred face: the veil of veronica and the sudarium
of oviedo ..................................................... 39
3: the true cross and the relics of the crucifixion ............ 51
4: the spear of destiny ........................................ 65
5: the skull of st. John the baptist ........................... 80
6: the blessed virgin mary ..................................... 90
7: christianity’s most sacred women ............................ 100
8: the bones of contention—the relics of the apostles .......... 118
9: the gospel writers (mark, matthew, luke, and john) .......... 144
10: the miracles and the relics of the saints .................. 152
11: noah’s ark ................................................. 167
12: the ark of the covenant .................................... 184
13: the holy grail ............................................. 206
14: the modern relic trade ..................................... 215
Epilogue: relics—the last word ................................. 223
Notes .......................................................... 225
Bibliography ................................................... 235
Index .......................................................... 240

English