Shroud of Turin Facts

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Scorching Fire Effects on the Carbon 14 Dating

This idea is scientifically unsustainable. It is possible that new carbon could be introduced by a fire, but a significant quantity would be noticeable. Such carbon is not there. Claims by some that such a fire could actually alter isotopes (C12, C13 and C14) is ridiculous.

Every serious Shroud student knows that the scorching theory is utter bunk fostered on the public by a Russian researcher, a young-earth biblical creationist who faked experiments, quoted from non-existent material and even quoted reputable sources who deny having ever said or written such things.

Sadly many authors, (including highly esteemed and reputable authors like Ben Witherington III writing in <i>Christianity Today</i>) have picked up on this strange hypothesis and the bioplastic hypothesis and given them traction.

   The scientific study of the Turin shroud is like a microcosm of the scientific search for God: it does more to inflame any debate than settle it.”

  And yet, the shroud is a remarkable artefact, one of the few religious relics to have a justifiably mythical status.

  It is simply not known how the ghostly image of a serene, bearded man was made.”

Scientist-Journalist Philip Ball
 Nature, January 2005

Nature, that most prestigious of scientific journals, that once had bragging rights to claim that the Shroud was fake, responding to new, peer-reviewed studies that discredit the carbon 14 dating and show that the Shroud could be authentic.

WHAT  WE KNOW IN 2005

  1. The Shroud of Turin is certainly much older than the now discredited radiocarbon date of 1260-1390. It is at least twice as old and it could be 2000 years old.  FACTS
     
  2. Though no one knows how it was made, the image is a selective caramel-like darkening of an otherwise clear coating of starch fractions and various saccharides.  FACTS
     
  3. The blood is real blood.  FACTS
     
  4. Much of what we think we see in the image is an optical illusion.  FACTS

Shroud of Turin Facts Check: 2005 Facts