Other Clues Something Was Amiss in the Carbon 14 Dating

This page is best understood by first reading the page, Failure in Radiocarbon Dating the Shroud of Turin.

In 1997, Remi Van Haelst, a Belgium chemist, statistically analyzed the carbon 14 data on Shroud of Turin.  He discovered serious disparities in measurements between the three laboratories and between the sub-samples (various tests and observations performed by the labs).

Later, Bryan Walsh, a statistician, evaluated Van Haelst’s work and further studied the measurements. His conclusions were that the samples, and indeed the subdivided samples used in multiple tests, contained different levels of the C14 isotope. The differences were sufficiently clear to conclude that the sample were non-homogeneous and thus of questionable validity. Moreover, Walsh found a significant relationship between various sub-samples and their distance from the edge of the cloth suggesting that the sample was newer at the edge. This indicated a possible reweaving of the cloth.

Several textile experts, under the direction of Sue Benford and Joseph Marino, examined documenting photographs of the samples. They found visual evidence of reweaving. Based on estimates from these photographs, and an a historically-likely suggested date for reweaving, Ronald Hatfield, of the radiocarbon dating lab Beta Analytic, estimated that the shroud might very well be about 2000 years old.

Earlier Clues

Clues from Vanillin Content