C-14 only tested a single patch

The first procedural problem is what DrNoGods mentioned…

DrNoGods wrote: Mon Feb 06, 2023 3:02 pm To me, a bigger concern might be the fact that so few TS samples were tested, and all from a single “patch” about 3″ x 1″ in size. The fact that three indpendent labs all obtained similar results is certainly supportive of the results, but I would have thought more samples from different locations would have been taken if they really wanted to get the best results and put the issue to rest.

If one is going to do C-14 testing, multiple samples from different parts would have a more meaningful result. But, it was only taken from a single patch.

As a precautionary measure, a piece twice as big as the one required by the protocol was cut from the Shroud; it measured 81 mm × 21 mm (3.19 in × 0.83 in). An outer strip showing coloured filaments of uncertain origin was discarded.[37] The remaining sample, measuring 81 mm × 16 mm (3.19 in × 0.63 in) and weighing 300 mg, was first divided in two equal parts, one of which was preserved in a sealed container, in the custody of the Vatican, in case of future need. The other half was cut into three segments, and packaged for the labs in a separate room by Tite and the archbishop.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiocarb … d_of_Turin

This single patch is arguably not representative of the entire cloth. Here’s an image of the patch that was taken relative to the entire cloth….

Image

Most likely, this was decided by the church since they certainly wouldn’t allow parts of the image to be cut. And it would be best to use a section that would not dramatically affect the presentation of the shroud. Also, it was already cut there before in 1973 by Raes.

In 1973, Gilbert Raes, a textile expert, was allowed to cut a small sample of the Turin Shroud. The
sample included a part of the main piece (Piece 1: 40mm.x13mm.) and of the side-strip (Piece 2:
40mm.x10mm.) as well as the sewing thread that joined the two pieces together.

https://www.shroud.com/pdfs/thibaultr7part1.pdf

That sample is typically referred to as the Raes sample and the entire area is called the Raes corner.

Though 3 labs tested parts of this small patch, it doesn’t really matter how many labs tested it. It could be 7 or 100 labs, it’s still in effect only one small sample from a single location on the entire shroud.

https://debatingchristianity.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1111672#p1111672