Why an Atheist Thinks the Shroud of Turin is the Real Deal

The Manchester Museum Mummy Project

K. C. Hodge and G. W. A. Newton in a book, The Manchester Museum Mummy Project, go into great detail on the carbon dating, showing the calculations and adjustments for variations in carbon 14 content in the atmosphere based on standards derived from tree rings. Here are the measured dates and the adjusted dates:

From the right shoulder blade (scapula): 822, 900 B.C.

From the left shoulder blade (scapula):  868, 1100 B.C.

From the outer bandage: 364, 441 A.D.

From an inner bandage:  245, 323 A.D.

“The conclusion is clear,” they write, “that the bones appear older than the bandages, and this conclusion is independent of any corrections.” They continue:

It is possible that the bones contain more organic carbon of fossil origin, example bitumen from the Dead Sea area which could have been used in the mummification process. However, because of the careful pretreatment of the samples we consider this unlikely. The remaining conclusion is that the body was wrapped or rewrapped in bandages some considerable time after death. (48)