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What is material intrusion in carbon 14 dating?
Material intrusion is a potential problem in some carbon 14 dating exercises. A classic example is the dating of peat from ancient bogs. Miniscule roots from much newer plants get entangled in the peat -- some roots having decomposed into newer peat -- and this will distort the results.
Did material intrusion affecte the results of dating of the Shroud? Yes! As it turns out, chemical and visual analyses, done in just the last two years, show unmistakable proof of material intrusion of new linen fibers. By some estimates there is enough material intrusion to make a 1st century cloth seem medieval. The discovery of alizarin and purpurin dyes (from Madder root), a hydrous aluminum oxide mordant and plant gum along with twisted-in cotton fibers and spliced threads in the carbon 14 sample region shows that the sample area was discretely repaired. These substances are not found anywhere else on the Shroud.
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© 2004 Daniel R. Porter, Bronxville, New York
