Via TOI:
For St. Nicholas devotees, 2017 will be remembered for the miracle of the carbon dating: It is the year in which scientists proved that at least one relic of the legendary third- to fourth-century Christian bishop could be authentic.
This December 6, St. Nicholas’s feast day, Oxford researchers released a study summarizing the results of the first radio carbon dating analysis performed on one of the numerous bone fragments associated with the saint.
Prof. Tom Higham and Dr. Georges Kazan, the directors of the Oxford Relics Cluster at Keble College’s Advanced Studies Centre, used a micro-sample of bone fragment from a purported St. Nicholas relic from Illinois, and — wonder of wonders — the researchers verified that the relic dates to the fourth century.
This particular bone fragment, taken from a pelvis bone, is owned by Father Dennis O’Neill, of the Shrine of the All Saints, St. Martha in Bethany Church in Illinois, which also houses hundreds of other saints’ relics onsite.
“The results suggest that the bones could in principle be authentic and belong to the saint,” stated a press release from Oxford University.
This result apparently surprised the scientists: “Many relics that we study turn out to date to a period somewhat later than the historic attestation would suggest. This bone fragment, in contrast, suggests that we could possibly be looking at remains from St. Nicholas himself,” said Higham.
But wait. A few months earlier in October, Turkish archaeologists discovered what they believe is the “real” St. Nicholas deep under the Asia Minor church historically thought to be the location of St. Nicholas’s interment. During electronic surveys, archaeologists discovered an untouched crypt under the ancient chapel in his Myra hometown — also dating to the fourth century.
While it has yet to be opened, archaeologists are fairly certain that the bones of the saint are within. According to The Telegraph, Antalya Director of Surveying and Monuments Cemil Karabayram said the electronic surveys showed gaps beneath the church traditional pilgrimage site.
“The world’s eyes will be set on here. We claim that St. Nicholas has been kept in this temple without any damage,” Karabayram told Turkey’s Hurriyet Daily News.
HT: Getaclue