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BY LOGAN TITTLE
He’s known as the man who baptised Jesus, and now — researchers at Oxford University
believe they’ve found him. CNN has more details.
“Scientists say six bones, believed to have belonged to John the Baptist may be the real
thing...One of those bones...was dated back to the first century AD when John the Baptist
would have lived.”
The Sun explains the remains were discovered back in 2010 in a box bearing the saint’s
name and a reference to his feast day, June 24th. Recently, researchers used DNA testing
to determine the bones came from a man who lived in the Middle East.
What’s more, the timing fits. Carbon dating showed the bones date back to the first century.
ABC quotes one researcher.
“We were surprised when the radiocarbon dating produced this very early age. We had
suspected that the bones may have been more recent than this, perhaps from the third or
fourth centuries. However, the result ... is clearly consistent with someone who lived
in the early first century AD.”
But while the time and location fit, the researchers confess there’s no way to be sure the bones
actually belonged to John the Baptist. LiveScience explains — it’s common for holy relics
to be imitations.
“Fake relics were and still are common. For example, at least 30 nails have been venerated
as the ones used to keep Jesus Christ on the cross (biblical scholars debate whether three
or four nails would have been used).”
The research hasn’t been peer reviewed yet, but the Los Angeles Times points out a TV
special for those who need to see to believe.
“The research was supported by the National Geographic Society and is the subject of a
documentary called ‘Head of John the Baptist.’ The documentary will be shown in England on
Sunday and has already appeared in the United States.”