[DestroytheDemocrats]

Interesting! But I distinctly remember hearing a scientist who worked on the Shroud talk about the pollen. Oh well.

[shroudie]

There is pollen on the Shroud, and based on peer-reviewed reports, it can be identified as highly likely coming from the environs of Jerusalem.

As for reasons that the carbon 14 dating is invalid it is unlikely that it is a result of scorching heat effects or a bioplastic growth covering the fibers. RATHER is is because, despite the best intentions of the radiocarbon dating scientists, valid samples were not obtained. This was demonstrated statistically from the test results; it was demonstrated by textile analysis; it was demonstrated by chemical analysis. We now know that the carbon 14 tests are good tests for a non-homogenious sample of cloth consisting largely of medieval fibers used to repair the cloth. That is certain and the tests are invalid.