This discovery may leave many artworks showing the crucifixion of Jesus Christ inaccurate. According to researchers, the Shroud of Turin that shows a crucified man suggests that the victim was suspended from a cross in a Y-shape position- arms above head and not outstretched horizontally on a cross or 'T' shape.

The Shroud of Turin - an important artifact from the medieval world - is a 14-feet long linen cloth bearing the image of a man who appears to have suffered physical trauma in a manner consistent with crucifixion.

According to Matteo Borrini of Liverpool John Moores University, Shroud of Turin proves that Jesus Christ may have been crucified with his arms above his head - a much more painful position.

To unravel this, Borrini and Luigi Garlaschelli of University of Pavia, Italy analysed the pattern of blood stains on the Shroud of Turin simulating blood trickling down the arms.

They looked for what crucifixion position would produce the blood stains seen on the shroud.

"The shroud pictured Jesus with his arms above his head in a 'Y' position. This would have been a very painful position and one which would have created difficulty breathing," Borrini was quoted as saying in New Scientist.

For centuries, the Church has depicted the crucifixion of Christ with his arms outstretched horizontally on a cross.

Some believe the Shroud of Turin was the cloth that disciples wrapped around Jesus Christ immediately after his death.

Others think of the shroud as a relic of a different sort - a piece of medieval forgery, the report added.