Good points, but I think, clearly even the Jews buried their dead, so the problem of handling blood on a dead person was resolved somehow. In fact, we know how it was resolved: the one who washed, embalmed and dressed the body went through a set ritual of purification. The same women, -- we know who they were, -- given the significance of the empty tomb and the preserved burial cloth -- would save the cloth.
But the aversion to blood might explain how it disappeared from view for centuries. The disciples knew it was sacred, but held back from handling or showing it without a direct need.
“But the aversion to blood might explain how it disappeared from view for centuries. The disciples knew it was sacred, but held back from handling or showing it without a direct need.”
Makes sense, but I’m still sticking with my theory of why it went missing for so many years as laid out in post 21. ;)