Question #1152

Why is D incorrect?

Started by Natalie-Johnston · started 2019-09-05 17:44 · last activity 2020-01-07 02:56 · 1 reply

The answer says, "No sample in the series, when retested by the carbon-dating procedure, was assigned an earlier date than that assigned to a sample from a layer above it". This seems like a valid reason to negate the skeptics theory because if there was percolating groundwater, than the carbon that the water carried to the different layers should be disturbing all of the layers. Thus producing a variety of dates each time it is tested.

Replies

shunhe · 2020-01-07 02:56

Hi @Natalie-Johnston, The problem with this line of thinking is that the carbon that the water carried had already percolated through the layers, and so any effects that the old carbon would have had wouldn't have made a difference. Even if the water was continuing to percolate through the layers, it would most likely take a while for there to be a noticeable change, and it's safe to assume that the retesting is done within a reasonably short timeframe. Hope this helps!