Revisiting the Analysis of 1988 Radiocarbon Dating of the Shroud of Turin

Authors

  • Darshi Arachige Independent Researcher

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.413.3418

Keywords:

History, Shroud of Turin, Radiocarbon dates, Monte Carlo simulations

Abstract

This paper revisits the analysis of 1988 radiocarbon dating of the Shroud of Turin published in the Nature in 1989. The radiocarbon dating has been controversial as the sample taken from the Shroud is believed to be contaminated. Arguing from a novel statistical point of view,  the current analysis, within the confines of the data provided in the Nature article, further confirms their radiocarbon dates for the Shroud of Turin. It also finds the opposing argument that their result is untenable due to the shortcomings of sample selection arising from the localised heterogeneity such as invisible mending in the selected sample, to be highly unlikely.

Author Biography

Darshi Arachige, Independent Researcher

I am currently employed as a senior statistician at a government department. The current work is totally independent of my regular work and thus, is not supported or sponsored by any individual or an organization. I do conduct research in the areas such as anthropology and religion for personal interest. I hold Master of Science degrees from the institutions in the UK and Australia.

References

. Damon, P.E., Donahue, D.J., Gore, B.H., Hatheway, A.L., Jull, A.J.T., Linick, T.W., et al., Radiocarbon dating of the Shroud of Turin. Nature, 1989. 337, p. 611–615.

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. Christen, J.A., Summarizing a Set of Radiocarbon Determinations: A Robust Approach. Applied Statistics, 1994. 43 (3): p. 489-503.

. Marino, J.G., and Prior, E.J., Chronological History of the Evidence for the Anomalous Nature of the C-14 Sample Area of the Shroud of Turin, 2008 [cited 2017 May 21]. Available from www.shroud.com/pdfs/chronology.pdf

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. Ward, G.K. and Wilson, S.R., Procedures for comparing and combining radiocarbon age determinations: a critique. Archaeometry, 1978. 20 (1):p. 19-31

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. Arachige, D., An Analysis of Hominin Cranial Capacity Data Using Simulations [Internet]. Anthropol, 2015 Aug [cited 2016 Dec 26]. 3 (2) :p157. Available from https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/an-analysis-of-hominin-cranial-capacity-data-using-simulations-2332-0915-1000157. DOI:10.4172/2332-0915.1000157

. Tanizaki, H., Computational Methods in Statistics and Econometric, 2004, New York: Marcel Dekker. p. 130

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Published

2017-07-13

How to Cite

Arachige, D. (2017). Revisiting the Analysis of 1988 Radiocarbon Dating of the Shroud of Turin. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 4(13). https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.413.3418

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 13 (2017): Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal

Section

Articles

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