Surface Chemical Analysis of the Shroud of Turin Identifies Discrepancies in Radiocarbon Dating Region by M. Sue Benford (MSBenford@aol.com) and Joseph G. Marino (JMarino240@aol.com). Saturday, August 16, 9:45 a.m.� 10:15 a.m. 

Recent research reported new evidence suggesting the radiocarbon dating of the Shroud of Turin was invalid due to the intrusion of newer material in the sampling area. This evidence included the detection of anomalous surface con�taminates in specimens from the sampling area. This paper reports new data from an unpublished study conducted by the Shroud of Turin Research Project (STURP) team in 1978 that supports the above-referenced research findings. Addition�ally, this paper reports evidence supporting the identification of replacement material in the Carbon-14 (C-14) sampling region along with previously unreported radiographic findings, corroborative textile evidence from the adjacent �Raes� sample, blinded-expert analysis of the Zurich laboratory C-14 sub-sample, independent microscopic confirmation of surface contaminates in Holland cloth/C-14 region, and historical restoration information. Based on these new data, the authors conclude that the radiocarbon sampling area was manipulated during or after the 16th century and that further testing on the Shroud is warranted.