Scientists say Turin Shroud is supernatural

[jberryhill]

8. The date is likely correct

However, there are some interesting criticisms.

For one thing, this is not a pristine artifact either. It has been extensively handled and even repaired by interweaving new fibers from time to time. After its original appearance in France, it was acquired by the Savoy family and moved around quite a bit prior to its current home in Turin. During that time, it was exposed to several fires and other misadventures. The carbon dating samples were taken from an edge region which some critics claim shows evidence of repairs. Additionally, various backing fabrics have been sewn on to it over the course of time, and it has been stored in intimate contact with those backings and whatever contaminants may have been on them.

Aside from contamination by handling and repairs over the centuries, it is inhabited by micro-organisms, which have lived and died on it, leaving a crust of newer organic matter on the exterior surface of the fibers.

It's one thing to dig up an ancient fire pit and analyze the undisturbed remains thereof, but this is not something that has been preserved as an archaeological specimen in the course of its lifetime.

Of course it is significant that the date obtained by the prior round of radiocarbon dating corresponds fairly well to the first recorded evidence of its appearance.