Posted on 12/06/2017 10:47:15 PM PST by mairdie
A pelvis bone said to belong to the fourth-century saint who inspired the story of Father Christmas could indeed be from the legend himself, scientists have said.
Researchers at the University of Oxford radiocarbon tested the the bone said to be from St Nicholas, and found it dates from the correct historical period.
While they cannot categorically prove they are from the Christian saint, the team said the results pinpoint the relic's age to the fourth century AD.
This is the period widely believed to have been when St Nicholas died, around 343 AD.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Later
This is as close as science can get in a situation like this but it does lend some support. Exciting.
A rather jolly old elf. What ever happened to his reindeer?
I fear nothing good.
I believed in him. But you’re right. The dating is exciting.
Curses be upon those who dare desecrate my grave and remove my remains.
Then the Catholic concern with first class relics is going to leave a lot of altars and graves shouting curses to the sky. Even when attending a Catholic girls high school, first class relics felt creepy. Second class - things the saint frequently used, seemed more reasonable. Third class - things they might have touched - seems more like reading movie magazines.
Why is their any dispute?
I mean. c’mon: his name is right there on the bone.
You are so funny! And appropriate to your moniker.
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