Pope says Carbon Testing "seems to confirm" that Remains in Sarcophagus are Those of the Apostle Paul
"A tiny hole had been drilled in the sarcophaguus to permit inspection of the interior, revealing traces of a precious linen cloth, purple in color, laminated with pure gold, and a blue colored textile with filaments of linen. It also revealed the presence of grains of red incense and traces of protein and limestone."
(Rome, Italy)—Having been given a special tour of St. Paul's basilica in Rome last year, news out of The Eternal City that bone fragments from the Apostle's remains—buried in a sarcophagus discovered in 2006 at the said basilica—have been scientifically verified, gave me goose bumps.
"This seems to confirm the unanimous and undisputed tradition that these are the mortal remains on the Apostle Paul," said Pope Benedict at St Paul's-Outside-the-Walls, on the eve of the Feasts of St Peter and St Paul, which were celebrated on Monday.
The pope was also quoted as giving other details of the discovery, in a Reuter's report, saying "a tiny hole had been drilled in the sarcophagus to permit inspection of the interior, revealing traces of a precious linen cloth, purple in color, laminated with pure gold, and a blue colored textile with filaments of linen. It also revealed the presence of grains of red incense and traces of protein and limestone. There were also tiny fragments of bone, which, when subjected to Carbon 14 tests by experts, turned out to belong to someone who lived in the first or second century."
Said reporter Stephen Brown: "The discovery of the bone fragments coincided with news that Vatican archaeologists had discovered what they believe is the oldest image in existence of St Paul, dating from the late 4th century, on the walls of catacomb beneath Rome." (Portrait found in catacombs of St Thecla/Archaeology News)
The Times UK reports that the portrait "shows St Paul with a high domed forehead, deep-set eyes and a long pointed beard, confirming the image familiar from later depictions."
Read more of this discovery by clicking on the link provided.
