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Logical explanations for the corpse of a time traveler
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Tim managed to create a time machine in secret. Foolishly, he used it on himself, like all good (movie) scientists do and traveled back in time. He thought he configured the machine to five minutes, but he instead accidentally sent himself back to medieval times, where he was promptly killed for witch craft.
Many years later, archaeologists/scientists are baffled to find a corpse from seemingly medieval times wearing modern clothing and gadgets.
Conspiracy theorists are already shouting "time traveler!", but the scientists try to come up with a more reasonable explanation, as they know time travel isn't possible, obviously. They're trying to think of ways of how a modern human could've suffered decay that made him seem like he came from medieval times.
What would the scientists come up with? Or would they realize the human remains actually were from a time traveler?
Bonus question: they find a smartphone on the corpse, but it's the 90s and smartphones weren't invented yet. Over the years, would it suffer enough decay to make it unrecognizable?
reality-check time-travel
asked 3 hours ago
noClue
28128
 |Â
show 4 more comments
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
Tim managed to create a time machine in secret. Foolishly, he used it on himself, like all good (movie) scientists do and traveled back in time. He thought he configured the machine to five minutes, but he instead accidentally sent himself back to medieval times, where he was promptly killed for witch craft.
Many years later, archaeologists/scientists are baffled to find a corpse from seemingly medieval times wearing modern clothing and gadgets.
Conspiracy theorists are already shouting "time traveler!", but the scientists try to come up with a more reasonable explanation, as they know time travel isn't possible, obviously. They're trying to think of ways of how a modern human could've suffered decay that made him seem like he came from medieval times.
What would the scientists come up with? Or would they realize the human remains actually were from a time traveler?
Bonus question: they find a smartphone on the corpse, but it's the 90s and smartphones weren't invented yet. Over the years, would it suffer enough decay to make it unrecognizable?
reality-check time-travel
asked 3 hours ago
noClue
28128
1
What Tim wearing during his travelling? Is his TARD... time machine close by?
– Alexander von Wernherr
3 hours ago
@AlexandervonWernherr Good point, I forgot to mention the machine. The machine doesn't come with him. As for clothes, I have nothing specific in mind, just imagine casual wear from the 90s.
– noClue
3 hours ago
2
I fear that there won't be a corpse! If he was lynched by the mob because of witchcraft, they will most likely have burned the corpse. Furthermore, you need quite special circumstances to preserve a body so that even clothes are not completely rotten off.
– DarthDonut
3 hours ago
@DarthDonut That's what I kinda feared. Just imagine he gets murdered by a bunch of randos in the middle of a field instead. :) He would be left there and maybe they will be fearful enough of black magic to not take any of his possibly cursed belongings.
– noClue
3 hours ago
1
From the information given, "scientists" would not draw any conclusions. Please explain where (geographically) and when he died, what kind of clothing exactly, the condition of the body and clothes (I mean have you seen artifacts from the middle ages? That stuff is for the most part not in a good condition), how he was burried and so on. From the information you have provided, there is absolutely no chance to give a meaningful answer. It isn't really in the nature of science to create a story, but I guess you mean "what would a newspaper write that scientists had come up with"
– Raditz_35
3 hours ago
 |Â
show 4 more comments
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
Tim managed to create a time machine in secret. Foolishly, he used it on himself, like all good (movie) scientists do and traveled back in time. He thought he configured the machine to five minutes, but he instead accidentally sent himself back to medieval times, where he was promptly killed for witch craft.
Many years later, archaeologists/scientists are baffled to find a corpse from seemingly medieval times wearing modern clothing and gadgets.
Conspiracy theorists are already shouting "time traveler!", but the scientists try to come up with a more reasonable explanation, as they know time travel isn't possible, obviously. They're trying to think of ways of how a modern human could've suffered decay that made him seem like he came from medieval times.
What would the scientists come up with? Or would they realize the human remains actually were from a time traveler?
Bonus question: they find a smartphone on the corpse, but it's the 90s and smartphones weren't invented yet. Over the years, would it suffer enough decay to make it unrecognizable?
reality-check time-travel
asked 3 hours ago
noClue
28128
Tim managed to create a time machine in secret. Foolishly, he used it on himself, like all good (movie) scientists do and traveled back in time. He thought he configured the machine to five minutes, but he instead accidentally sent himself back to medieval times, where he was promptly killed for witch craft.
Many years later, archaeologists/scientists are baffled to find a corpse from seemingly medieval times wearing modern clothing and gadgets.
Conspiracy theorists are already shouting "time traveler!", but the scientists try to come up with a more reasonable explanation, as they know time travel isn't possible, obviously. They're trying to think of ways of how a modern human could've suffered decay that made him seem like he came from medieval times.
What would the scientists come up with? Or would they realize the human remains actually were from a time traveler?
Bonus question: they find a smartphone on the corpse, but it's the 90s and smartphones weren't invented yet. Over the years, would it suffer enough decay to make it unrecognizable?
reality-check time-travel
reality-check time-travel
asked 3 hours ago
noClue
28128
asked 3 hours ago
noClue
28128
asked 3 hours ago
noClue
28128
asked 3 hours ago
noClue
28128
asked 3 hours ago
noClue
28128
28128
1
What Tim wearing during his travelling? Is his TARD... time machine close by?
– Alexander von Wernherr
3 hours ago
@AlexandervonWernherr Good point, I forgot to mention the machine. The machine doesn't come with him. As for clothes, I have nothing specific in mind, just imagine casual wear from the 90s.
– noClue
3 hours ago
2
I fear that there won't be a corpse! If he was lynched by the mob because of witchcraft, they will most likely have burned the corpse. Furthermore, you need quite special circumstances to preserve a body so that even clothes are not completely rotten off.
– DarthDonut
3 hours ago
@DarthDonut That's what I kinda feared. Just imagine he gets murdered by a bunch of randos in the middle of a field instead. :) He would be left there and maybe they will be fearful enough of black magic to not take any of his possibly cursed belongings.
– noClue
3 hours ago
1
From the information given, "scientists" would not draw any conclusions. Please explain where (geographically) and when he died, what kind of clothing exactly, the condition of the body and clothes (I mean have you seen artifacts from the middle ages? That stuff is for the most part not in a good condition), how he was burried and so on. From the information you have provided, there is absolutely no chance to give a meaningful answer. It isn't really in the nature of science to create a story, but I guess you mean "what would a newspaper write that scientists had come up with"
– Raditz_35
3 hours ago
 |Â
show 4 more comments
1
What Tim wearing during his travelling? Is his TARD... time machine close by?
– Alexander von Wernherr
3 hours ago
@AlexandervonWernherr Good point, I forgot to mention the machine. The machine doesn't come with him. As for clothes, I have nothing specific in mind, just imagine casual wear from the 90s.
– noClue
3 hours ago
2
I fear that there won't be a corpse! If he was lynched by the mob because of witchcraft, they will most likely have burned the corpse. Furthermore, you need quite special circumstances to preserve a body so that even clothes are not completely rotten off.
– DarthDonut
3 hours ago
@DarthDonut That's what I kinda feared. Just imagine he gets murdered by a bunch of randos in the middle of a field instead. :) He would be left there and maybe they will be fearful enough of black magic to not take any of his possibly cursed belongings.
– noClue
3 hours ago
1
From the information given, "scientists" would not draw any conclusions. Please explain where (geographically) and when he died, what kind of clothing exactly, the condition of the body and clothes (I mean have you seen artifacts from the middle ages? That stuff is for the most part not in a good condition), how he was burried and so on. From the information you have provided, there is absolutely no chance to give a meaningful answer. It isn't really in the nature of science to create a story, but I guess you mean "what would a newspaper write that scientists had come up with"
– Raditz_35
3 hours ago
1
1
What Tim wearing during his travelling? Is his TARD... time machine close by?
– Alexander von Wernherr
3 hours ago
What Tim wearing during his travelling? Is his TARD... time machine close by?
– Alexander von Wernherr
3 hours ago
@AlexandervonWernherr Good point, I forgot to mention the machine. The machine doesn't come with him. As for clothes, I have nothing specific in mind, just imagine casual wear from the 90s.
– noClue
3 hours ago
@AlexandervonWernherr Good point, I forgot to mention the machine. The machine doesn't come with him. As for clothes, I have nothing specific in mind, just imagine casual wear from the 90s.
– noClue
3 hours ago
2
2
I fear that there won't be a corpse! If he was lynched by the mob because of witchcraft, they will most likely have burned the corpse. Furthermore, you need quite special circumstances to preserve a body so that even clothes are not completely rotten off.
– DarthDonut
3 hours ago
I fear that there won't be a corpse! If he was lynched by the mob because of witchcraft, they will most likely have burned the corpse. Furthermore, you need quite special circumstances to preserve a body so that even clothes are not completely rotten off.
– DarthDonut
3 hours ago
@DarthDonut That's what I kinda feared. Just imagine he gets murdered by a bunch of randos in the middle of a field instead. :) He would be left there and maybe they will be fearful enough of black magic to not take any of his possibly cursed belongings.
– noClue
3 hours ago
@DarthDonut That's what I kinda feared. Just imagine he gets murdered by a bunch of randos in the middle of a field instead. :) He would be left there and maybe they will be fearful enough of black magic to not take any of his possibly cursed belongings.
– noClue
3 hours ago
1
1
From the information given, "scientists" would not draw any conclusions. Please explain where (geographically) and when he died, what kind of clothing exactly, the condition of the body and clothes (I mean have you seen artifacts from the middle ages? That stuff is for the most part not in a good condition), how he was burried and so on. From the information you have provided, there is absolutely no chance to give a meaningful answer. It isn't really in the nature of science to create a story, but I guess you mean "what would a newspaper write that scientists had come up with"
– Raditz_35
3 hours ago
From the information given, "scientists" would not draw any conclusions. Please explain where (geographically) and when he died, what kind of clothing exactly, the condition of the body and clothes (I mean have you seen artifacts from the middle ages? That stuff is for the most part not in a good condition), how he was burried and so on. From the information you have provided, there is absolutely no chance to give a meaningful answer. It isn't really in the nature of science to create a story, but I guess you mean "what would a newspaper write that scientists had come up with"
– Raditz_35
3 hours ago
 |Â
show 4 more comments
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
Those found guilty of witchcraft were often sentenced to be burnt, or having in any case their corpse destroyed.
Since there was the belief that a corpse had to be preserved for the day when the dead would rise again, destroying the body added a further punishment, ensuring the guilty person could not participate in the end of the days.
Same goes with any item Tim might have carried along with him: a metal bracelet moving on its own? A flat stone emitting light and sound when god made stones silent and dark? All destroyed, for the major glory of the lord.
Not even a proper burial would grant that something would remain for present archeologist to find.
Being killed in an open environment by brigands or thieves would likely result in no lasting remains, too.
answered 3 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
63.7k18150300
I know the flat stone is a smartphone, but what is the bracelet?
– Alexander von Wernherr
2 hours ago
1
@AlexandervonWernherr Probably his wristwatch
– Elmy
2 hours ago
1
@AlexandervonWernherr, as Elmy said..
– L.Dutch♦
2 hours ago
Okay, but 'Moving on it's own' is confusing me. Thanks
– Alexander von Wernherr
2 hours ago
1
@AlexandervonWernherr: the movement of the hands is what I assume is being referred to there.
– Joe Bloggs
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Your scientists could not only get an accurate date of your timetraveler's birth, but they may even be able to determine how much time he has spent outside of his 'birth time'.
Check out Bomb pulse dating. We live in a wonderful time where it is really hard for someone to lie about their age. Basically, by measuring amounts of Carbon 14 in human tissue, we can get an accurate time range of when that tissue was formed. Since your time traveler appears to be alive in 'current' times (smart phone era), this effect could certainly be in effect (however, in the future, ~2050, this technique may not be feasible anymore).
Also, by seeing that some tissue (say a fractured bone which happened when our traveler was in the past, or things like hair/nails) does not contain any elevated amounts of 14C, the scientists would also be able to tell that newer tissue was formed outside of the influences of our current time. This may not be a nail in the coffin that he was absolutely a time traveler, but it would certainly be a burning question raising lots of more questions.
As for your question about the smart phone, the best I can say is 'it depends'. The plastics would be in the range where decomposition is possible. If it is a magnesium case, then possibly game over. Also, if the body is well preserved and undisturbed, and different types of scans can be made of the area the undisturbed smart phone is, then circuity (especially anything with gold) could possibly still be in place. There aren't many naturally occurring phenomena which resemble the metalization of modern circuity.
Another link concerning bomb pulse forensics.
answered 1 hour ago
ColonelPanic
1,789110
+1 for stating the obvious problem. I was preparing to write a comment asking whether the querent wishes us to disregard the effects of the massive modification in the concentration of radioisotopes in the second half of the 20th century.
– AlexP
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
If they do a throughout check of the body, they will find undeniable evidence that this poor guy is indeed a modern body. Fillings in cavities come to mind, analysis of the teeth and bones will bring up taken medicine, diet and life style, some of which was not existent in the middle ages.
But how to explain a modern body in a medieval soil layer? How to explain the state of the body?
If our poor time traveler went to, let's say, the 12th century, then his body would be made of... bones. And nothing else. Flesh, skin and other tissues would have rotten away, or destroyed by carrion eaters.
Most likely they will asume that they found a missing person or murder victim that somehow ended up in that soil layer, and was there for a few month or years, nothing special. They will find a way to explain why the soil layer was nearly or not at all disturbed (as would have happened if someone dug a shallow grave).
But honestly... It is debatable if the skeleton would ever be found, because there are a myriad ways how a body is completely destroyed, and only a few very special ways how it is preserved.
answered 3 hours ago
DarthDonut
1,197212
1
You have some valid points, however please be aware that you have to assume a lot and mainly ask questions. This is just a friendly hint: Very often, the OP will later edit the question and clarify some of the things you have pointed out, potentially making your efforts wasted. It is best to ask for clarification first if you are unsure and see multiple ways to go. I know that Dutch did the same thing, but he doesn't seem to mind. He answers quickly anyhow, since you don't have the 64k rep yet also, I thought I'd point that out to you
– Raditz_35
3 hours ago
@Raditz_35 Thanks for the info!
– DarthDonut
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
When a body is found the police are informed. It's clearly a modern body even if it's in an apparently historic hole in an advanced state of decay, for that matter a body that has clearly died a violent death.
You're now looking at a murder investigation that will go unsolved. Time travel will not be considered by the scientists or authorities, because time travel isn't possible.
The conspiracy nuts can say what they like, they usually do, but nobody will take them seriously. At least until time travel is publicly invented, at which point the slightly strange cold case may be reopened but will more likely have been long forgotten.
answered 2 hours ago
Separatrix
68.3k30160268
The medieval era is far enough back to do reliable C14-dating as it will be a skeleton only...
– Fabby
32 mins ago
@Fabby, it's a modern skeleton so you can't do C14 dating, it's already corrupted by the nuclear test background.
– Separatrix
27 mins ago
add a comment |Â
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
Those found guilty of witchcraft were often sentenced to be burnt, or having in any case their corpse destroyed.
Since there was the belief that a corpse had to be preserved for the day when the dead would rise again, destroying the body added a further punishment, ensuring the guilty person could not participate in the end of the days.
Same goes with any item Tim might have carried along with him: a metal bracelet moving on its own? A flat stone emitting light and sound when god made stones silent and dark? All destroyed, for the major glory of the lord.
Not even a proper burial would grant that something would remain for present archeologist to find.
Being killed in an open environment by brigands or thieves would likely result in no lasting remains, too.
answered 3 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
63.7k18150300
I know the flat stone is a smartphone, but what is the bracelet?
– Alexander von Wernherr
2 hours ago
1
@AlexandervonWernherr Probably his wristwatch
– Elmy
2 hours ago
1
@AlexandervonWernherr, as Elmy said..
– L.Dutch♦
2 hours ago
Okay, but 'Moving on it's own' is confusing me. Thanks
– Alexander von Wernherr
2 hours ago
1
@AlexandervonWernherr: the movement of the hands is what I assume is being referred to there.
– Joe Bloggs
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
Those found guilty of witchcraft were often sentenced to be burnt, or having in any case their corpse destroyed.
Since there was the belief that a corpse had to be preserved for the day when the dead would rise again, destroying the body added a further punishment, ensuring the guilty person could not participate in the end of the days.
Same goes with any item Tim might have carried along with him: a metal bracelet moving on its own? A flat stone emitting light and sound when god made stones silent and dark? All destroyed, for the major glory of the lord.
Not even a proper burial would grant that something would remain for present archeologist to find.
Being killed in an open environment by brigands or thieves would likely result in no lasting remains, too.
answered 3 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
63.7k18150300
I know the flat stone is a smartphone, but what is the bracelet?
– Alexander von Wernherr
2 hours ago
1
@AlexandervonWernherr Probably his wristwatch
– Elmy
2 hours ago
1
@AlexandervonWernherr, as Elmy said..
– L.Dutch♦
2 hours ago
Okay, but 'Moving on it's own' is confusing me. Thanks
– Alexander von Wernherr
2 hours ago
1
@AlexandervonWernherr: the movement of the hands is what I assume is being referred to there.
– Joe Bloggs
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
up vote
5
down vote
Those found guilty of witchcraft were often sentenced to be burnt, or having in any case their corpse destroyed.
Since there was the belief that a corpse had to be preserved for the day when the dead would rise again, destroying the body added a further punishment, ensuring the guilty person could not participate in the end of the days.
Same goes with any item Tim might have carried along with him: a metal bracelet moving on its own? A flat stone emitting light and sound when god made stones silent and dark? All destroyed, for the major glory of the lord.
Not even a proper burial would grant that something would remain for present archeologist to find.
Being killed in an open environment by brigands or thieves would likely result in no lasting remains, too.
answered 3 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
63.7k18150300
Those found guilty of witchcraft were often sentenced to be burnt, or having in any case their corpse destroyed.
Since there was the belief that a corpse had to be preserved for the day when the dead would rise again, destroying the body added a further punishment, ensuring the guilty person could not participate in the end of the days.
Same goes with any item Tim might have carried along with him: a metal bracelet moving on its own? A flat stone emitting light and sound when god made stones silent and dark? All destroyed, for the major glory of the lord.
Not even a proper burial would grant that something would remain for present archeologist to find.
Being killed in an open environment by brigands or thieves would likely result in no lasting remains, too.
answered 3 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
63.7k18150300
answered 3 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
63.7k18150300
answered 3 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
63.7k18150300
answered 3 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
63.7k18150300
63.7k18150300
I know the flat stone is a smartphone, but what is the bracelet?
– Alexander von Wernherr
2 hours ago
1
@AlexandervonWernherr Probably his wristwatch
– Elmy
2 hours ago
1
@AlexandervonWernherr, as Elmy said..
– L.Dutch♦
2 hours ago
Okay, but 'Moving on it's own' is confusing me. Thanks
– Alexander von Wernherr
2 hours ago
1
@AlexandervonWernherr: the movement of the hands is what I assume is being referred to there.
– Joe Bloggs
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
I know the flat stone is a smartphone, but what is the bracelet?
– Alexander von Wernherr
2 hours ago
1
@AlexandervonWernherr Probably his wristwatch
– Elmy
2 hours ago
1
@AlexandervonWernherr, as Elmy said..
– L.Dutch♦
2 hours ago
Okay, but 'Moving on it's own' is confusing me. Thanks
– Alexander von Wernherr
2 hours ago
1
@AlexandervonWernherr: the movement of the hands is what I assume is being referred to there.
– Joe Bloggs
1 hour ago
I know the flat stone is a smartphone, but what is the bracelet?
– Alexander von Wernherr
2 hours ago
I know the flat stone is a smartphone, but what is the bracelet?
– Alexander von Wernherr
2 hours ago
1
1
@AlexandervonWernherr Probably his wristwatch
– Elmy
2 hours ago
@AlexandervonWernherr Probably his wristwatch
– Elmy
2 hours ago
1
1
@AlexandervonWernherr, as Elmy said..
– L.Dutch♦
2 hours ago
@AlexandervonWernherr, as Elmy said..
– L.Dutch♦
2 hours ago
Okay, but 'Moving on it's own' is confusing me. Thanks
– Alexander von Wernherr
2 hours ago
Okay, but 'Moving on it's own' is confusing me. Thanks
– Alexander von Wernherr
2 hours ago
1
1
@AlexandervonWernherr: the movement of the hands is what I assume is being referred to there.
– Joe Bloggs
1 hour ago
@AlexandervonWernherr: the movement of the hands is what I assume is being referred to there.
– Joe Bloggs
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Your scientists could not only get an accurate date of your timetraveler's birth, but they may even be able to determine how much time he has spent outside of his 'birth time'.
Check out Bomb pulse dating. We live in a wonderful time where it is really hard for someone to lie about their age. Basically, by measuring amounts of Carbon 14 in human tissue, we can get an accurate time range of when that tissue was formed. Since your time traveler appears to be alive in 'current' times (smart phone era), this effect could certainly be in effect (however, in the future, ~2050, this technique may not be feasible anymore).
Also, by seeing that some tissue (say a fractured bone which happened when our traveler was in the past, or things like hair/nails) does not contain any elevated amounts of 14C, the scientists would also be able to tell that newer tissue was formed outside of the influences of our current time. This may not be a nail in the coffin that he was absolutely a time traveler, but it would certainly be a burning question raising lots of more questions.
As for your question about the smart phone, the best I can say is 'it depends'. The plastics would be in the range where decomposition is possible. If it is a magnesium case, then possibly game over. Also, if the body is well preserved and undisturbed, and different types of scans can be made of the area the undisturbed smart phone is, then circuity (especially anything with gold) could possibly still be in place. There aren't many naturally occurring phenomena which resemble the metalization of modern circuity.
Another link concerning bomb pulse forensics.
answered 1 hour ago
ColonelPanic
1,789110
+1 for stating the obvious problem. I was preparing to write a comment asking whether the querent wishes us to disregard the effects of the massive modification in the concentration of radioisotopes in the second half of the 20th century.
– AlexP
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Your scientists could not only get an accurate date of your timetraveler's birth, but they may even be able to determine how much time he has spent outside of his 'birth time'.
Check out Bomb pulse dating. We live in a wonderful time where it is really hard for someone to lie about their age. Basically, by measuring amounts of Carbon 14 in human tissue, we can get an accurate time range of when that tissue was formed. Since your time traveler appears to be alive in 'current' times (smart phone era), this effect could certainly be in effect (however, in the future, ~2050, this technique may not be feasible anymore).
Also, by seeing that some tissue (say a fractured bone which happened when our traveler was in the past, or things like hair/nails) does not contain any elevated amounts of 14C, the scientists would also be able to tell that newer tissue was formed outside of the influences of our current time. This may not be a nail in the coffin that he was absolutely a time traveler, but it would certainly be a burning question raising lots of more questions.
As for your question about the smart phone, the best I can say is 'it depends'. The plastics would be in the range where decomposition is possible. If it is a magnesium case, then possibly game over. Also, if the body is well preserved and undisturbed, and different types of scans can be made of the area the undisturbed smart phone is, then circuity (especially anything with gold) could possibly still be in place. There aren't many naturally occurring phenomena which resemble the metalization of modern circuity.
Another link concerning bomb pulse forensics.
answered 1 hour ago
ColonelPanic
1,789110
+1 for stating the obvious problem. I was preparing to write a comment asking whether the querent wishes us to disregard the effects of the massive modification in the concentration of radioisotopes in the second half of the 20th century.
– AlexP
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
Your scientists could not only get an accurate date of your timetraveler's birth, but they may even be able to determine how much time he has spent outside of his 'birth time'.
Check out Bomb pulse dating. We live in a wonderful time where it is really hard for someone to lie about their age. Basically, by measuring amounts of Carbon 14 in human tissue, we can get an accurate time range of when that tissue was formed. Since your time traveler appears to be alive in 'current' times (smart phone era), this effect could certainly be in effect (however, in the future, ~2050, this technique may not be feasible anymore).
Also, by seeing that some tissue (say a fractured bone which happened when our traveler was in the past, or things like hair/nails) does not contain any elevated amounts of 14C, the scientists would also be able to tell that newer tissue was formed outside of the influences of our current time. This may not be a nail in the coffin that he was absolutely a time traveler, but it would certainly be a burning question raising lots of more questions.
As for your question about the smart phone, the best I can say is 'it depends'. The plastics would be in the range where decomposition is possible. If it is a magnesium case, then possibly game over. Also, if the body is well preserved and undisturbed, and different types of scans can be made of the area the undisturbed smart phone is, then circuity (especially anything with gold) could possibly still be in place. There aren't many naturally occurring phenomena which resemble the metalization of modern circuity.
Another link concerning bomb pulse forensics.
answered 1 hour ago
ColonelPanic
1,789110
Your scientists could not only get an accurate date of your timetraveler's birth, but they may even be able to determine how much time he has spent outside of his 'birth time'.
Check out Bomb pulse dating. We live in a wonderful time where it is really hard for someone to lie about their age. Basically, by measuring amounts of Carbon 14 in human tissue, we can get an accurate time range of when that tissue was formed. Since your time traveler appears to be alive in 'current' times (smart phone era), this effect could certainly be in effect (however, in the future, ~2050, this technique may not be feasible anymore).
Also, by seeing that some tissue (say a fractured bone which happened when our traveler was in the past, or things like hair/nails) does not contain any elevated amounts of 14C, the scientists would also be able to tell that newer tissue was formed outside of the influences of our current time. This may not be a nail in the coffin that he was absolutely a time traveler, but it would certainly be a burning question raising lots of more questions.
As for your question about the smart phone, the best I can say is 'it depends'. The plastics would be in the range where decomposition is possible. If it is a magnesium case, then possibly game over. Also, if the body is well preserved and undisturbed, and different types of scans can be made of the area the undisturbed smart phone is, then circuity (especially anything with gold) could possibly still be in place. There aren't many naturally occurring phenomena which resemble the metalization of modern circuity.
Another link concerning bomb pulse forensics.
answered 1 hour ago
ColonelPanic
1,789110
answered 1 hour ago
ColonelPanic
1,789110
answered 1 hour ago
ColonelPanic
1,789110
answered 1 hour ago
ColonelPanic
1,789110
1,789110
+1 for stating the obvious problem. I was preparing to write a comment asking whether the querent wishes us to disregard the effects of the massive modification in the concentration of radioisotopes in the second half of the 20th century.
– AlexP
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
+1 for stating the obvious problem. I was preparing to write a comment asking whether the querent wishes us to disregard the effects of the massive modification in the concentration of radioisotopes in the second half of the 20th century.
– AlexP
1 hour ago
+1 for stating the obvious problem. I was preparing to write a comment asking whether the querent wishes us to disregard the effects of the massive modification in the concentration of radioisotopes in the second half of the 20th century.
– AlexP
1 hour ago
+1 for stating the obvious problem. I was preparing to write a comment asking whether the querent wishes us to disregard the effects of the massive modification in the concentration of radioisotopes in the second half of the 20th century.
– AlexP
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
If they do a throughout check of the body, they will find undeniable evidence that this poor guy is indeed a modern body. Fillings in cavities come to mind, analysis of the teeth and bones will bring up taken medicine, diet and life style, some of which was not existent in the middle ages.
But how to explain a modern body in a medieval soil layer? How to explain the state of the body?
If our poor time traveler went to, let's say, the 12th century, then his body would be made of... bones. And nothing else. Flesh, skin and other tissues would have rotten away, or destroyed by carrion eaters.
Most likely they will asume that they found a missing person or murder victim that somehow ended up in that soil layer, and was there for a few month or years, nothing special. They will find a way to explain why the soil layer was nearly or not at all disturbed (as would have happened if someone dug a shallow grave).
But honestly... It is debatable if the skeleton would ever be found, because there are a myriad ways how a body is completely destroyed, and only a few very special ways how it is preserved.
answered 3 hours ago
DarthDonut
1,197212
1
You have some valid points, however please be aware that you have to assume a lot and mainly ask questions. This is just a friendly hint: Very often, the OP will later edit the question and clarify some of the things you have pointed out, potentially making your efforts wasted. It is best to ask for clarification first if you are unsure and see multiple ways to go. I know that Dutch did the same thing, but he doesn't seem to mind. He answers quickly anyhow, since you don't have the 64k rep yet also, I thought I'd point that out to you
– Raditz_35
3 hours ago
@Raditz_35 Thanks for the info!
– DarthDonut
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
If they do a throughout check of the body, they will find undeniable evidence that this poor guy is indeed a modern body. Fillings in cavities come to mind, analysis of the teeth and bones will bring up taken medicine, diet and life style, some of which was not existent in the middle ages.
But how to explain a modern body in a medieval soil layer? How to explain the state of the body?
If our poor time traveler went to, let's say, the 12th century, then his body would be made of... bones. And nothing else. Flesh, skin and other tissues would have rotten away, or destroyed by carrion eaters.
Most likely they will asume that they found a missing person or murder victim that somehow ended up in that soil layer, and was there for a few month or years, nothing special. They will find a way to explain why the soil layer was nearly or not at all disturbed (as would have happened if someone dug a shallow grave).
But honestly... It is debatable if the skeleton would ever be found, because there are a myriad ways how a body is completely destroyed, and only a few very special ways how it is preserved.
answered 3 hours ago
DarthDonut
1,197212
1
You have some valid points, however please be aware that you have to assume a lot and mainly ask questions. This is just a friendly hint: Very often, the OP will later edit the question and clarify some of the things you have pointed out, potentially making your efforts wasted. It is best to ask for clarification first if you are unsure and see multiple ways to go. I know that Dutch did the same thing, but he doesn't seem to mind. He answers quickly anyhow, since you don't have the 64k rep yet also, I thought I'd point that out to you
– Raditz_35
3 hours ago
@Raditz_35 Thanks for the info!
– DarthDonut
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
If they do a throughout check of the body, they will find undeniable evidence that this poor guy is indeed a modern body. Fillings in cavities come to mind, analysis of the teeth and bones will bring up taken medicine, diet and life style, some of which was not existent in the middle ages.
But how to explain a modern body in a medieval soil layer? How to explain the state of the body?
If our poor time traveler went to, let's say, the 12th century, then his body would be made of... bones. And nothing else. Flesh, skin and other tissues would have rotten away, or destroyed by carrion eaters.
Most likely they will asume that they found a missing person or murder victim that somehow ended up in that soil layer, and was there for a few month or years, nothing special. They will find a way to explain why the soil layer was nearly or not at all disturbed (as would have happened if someone dug a shallow grave).
But honestly... It is debatable if the skeleton would ever be found, because there are a myriad ways how a body is completely destroyed, and only a few very special ways how it is preserved.
answered 3 hours ago
DarthDonut
1,197212
If they do a throughout check of the body, they will find undeniable evidence that this poor guy is indeed a modern body. Fillings in cavities come to mind, analysis of the teeth and bones will bring up taken medicine, diet and life style, some of which was not existent in the middle ages.
But how to explain a modern body in a medieval soil layer? How to explain the state of the body?
If our poor time traveler went to, let's say, the 12th century, then his body would be made of... bones. And nothing else. Flesh, skin and other tissues would have rotten away, or destroyed by carrion eaters.
Most likely they will asume that they found a missing person or murder victim that somehow ended up in that soil layer, and was there for a few month or years, nothing special. They will find a way to explain why the soil layer was nearly or not at all disturbed (as would have happened if someone dug a shallow grave).
But honestly... It is debatable if the skeleton would ever be found, because there are a myriad ways how a body is completely destroyed, and only a few very special ways how it is preserved.
answered 3 hours ago
DarthDonut
1,197212
answered 3 hours ago
DarthDonut
1,197212
answered 3 hours ago
DarthDonut
1,197212
answered 3 hours ago
DarthDonut
1,197212
1,197212
1
You have some valid points, however please be aware that you have to assume a lot and mainly ask questions. This is just a friendly hint: Very often, the OP will later edit the question and clarify some of the things you have pointed out, potentially making your efforts wasted. It is best to ask for clarification first if you are unsure and see multiple ways to go. I know that Dutch did the same thing, but he doesn't seem to mind. He answers quickly anyhow, since you don't have the 64k rep yet also, I thought I'd point that out to you
– Raditz_35
3 hours ago
@Raditz_35 Thanks for the info!
– DarthDonut
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
1
You have some valid points, however please be aware that you have to assume a lot and mainly ask questions. This is just a friendly hint: Very often, the OP will later edit the question and clarify some of the things you have pointed out, potentially making your efforts wasted. It is best to ask for clarification first if you are unsure and see multiple ways to go. I know that Dutch did the same thing, but he doesn't seem to mind. He answers quickly anyhow, since you don't have the 64k rep yet also, I thought I'd point that out to you
– Raditz_35
3 hours ago
@Raditz_35 Thanks for the info!
– DarthDonut
3 hours ago
1
1
You have some valid points, however please be aware that you have to assume a lot and mainly ask questions. This is just a friendly hint: Very often, the OP will later edit the question and clarify some of the things you have pointed out, potentially making your efforts wasted. It is best to ask for clarification first if you are unsure and see multiple ways to go. I know that Dutch did the same thing, but he doesn't seem to mind. He answers quickly anyhow, since you don't have the 64k rep yet also, I thought I'd point that out to you
– Raditz_35
3 hours ago
You have some valid points, however please be aware that you have to assume a lot and mainly ask questions. This is just a friendly hint: Very often, the OP will later edit the question and clarify some of the things you have pointed out, potentially making your efforts wasted. It is best to ask for clarification first if you are unsure and see multiple ways to go. I know that Dutch did the same thing, but he doesn't seem to mind. He answers quickly anyhow, since you don't have the 64k rep yet also, I thought I'd point that out to you
– Raditz_35
3 hours ago
@Raditz_35 Thanks for the info!
– DarthDonut
3 hours ago
@Raditz_35 Thanks for the info!
– DarthDonut
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
When a body is found the police are informed. It's clearly a modern body even if it's in an apparently historic hole in an advanced state of decay, for that matter a body that has clearly died a violent death.
You're now looking at a murder investigation that will go unsolved. Time travel will not be considered by the scientists or authorities, because time travel isn't possible.
The conspiracy nuts can say what they like, they usually do, but nobody will take them seriously. At least until time travel is publicly invented, at which point the slightly strange cold case may be reopened but will more likely have been long forgotten.
answered 2 hours ago
Separatrix
68.3k30160268
The medieval era is far enough back to do reliable C14-dating as it will be a skeleton only...
– Fabby
32 mins ago
@Fabby, it's a modern skeleton so you can't do C14 dating, it's already corrupted by the nuclear test background.
– Separatrix
27 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
When a body is found the police are informed. It's clearly a modern body even if it's in an apparently historic hole in an advanced state of decay, for that matter a body that has clearly died a violent death.
You're now looking at a murder investigation that will go unsolved. Time travel will not be considered by the scientists or authorities, because time travel isn't possible.
The conspiracy nuts can say what they like, they usually do, but nobody will take them seriously. At least until time travel is publicly invented, at which point the slightly strange cold case may be reopened but will more likely have been long forgotten.
answered 2 hours ago
Separatrix
68.3k30160268
The medieval era is far enough back to do reliable C14-dating as it will be a skeleton only...
– Fabby
32 mins ago
@Fabby, it's a modern skeleton so you can't do C14 dating, it's already corrupted by the nuclear test background.
– Separatrix
27 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
When a body is found the police are informed. It's clearly a modern body even if it's in an apparently historic hole in an advanced state of decay, for that matter a body that has clearly died a violent death.
You're now looking at a murder investigation that will go unsolved. Time travel will not be considered by the scientists or authorities, because time travel isn't possible.
The conspiracy nuts can say what they like, they usually do, but nobody will take them seriously. At least until time travel is publicly invented, at which point the slightly strange cold case may be reopened but will more likely have been long forgotten.
answered 2 hours ago
Separatrix
68.3k30160268
When a body is found the police are informed. It's clearly a modern body even if it's in an apparently historic hole in an advanced state of decay, for that matter a body that has clearly died a violent death.
You're now looking at a murder investigation that will go unsolved. Time travel will not be considered by the scientists or authorities, because time travel isn't possible.
The conspiracy nuts can say what they like, they usually do, but nobody will take them seriously. At least until time travel is publicly invented, at which point the slightly strange cold case may be reopened but will more likely have been long forgotten.
answered 2 hours ago
Separatrix
68.3k30160268
answered 2 hours ago
Separatrix
68.3k30160268
answered 2 hours ago
Separatrix
68.3k30160268
answered 2 hours ago
Separatrix
68.3k30160268
68.3k30160268
The medieval era is far enough back to do reliable C14-dating as it will be a skeleton only...
– Fabby
32 mins ago
@Fabby, it's a modern skeleton so you can't do C14 dating, it's already corrupted by the nuclear test background.
– Separatrix
27 mins ago
add a comment |Â
The medieval era is far enough back to do reliable C14-dating as it will be a skeleton only...
– Fabby
32 mins ago
@Fabby, it's a modern skeleton so you can't do C14 dating, it's already corrupted by the nuclear test background.
– Separatrix
27 mins ago
The medieval era is far enough back to do reliable C14-dating as it will be a skeleton only...
– Fabby
32 mins ago
The medieval era is far enough back to do reliable C14-dating as it will be a skeleton only...
– Fabby
32 mins ago
@Fabby, it's a modern skeleton so you can't do C14 dating, it's already corrupted by the nuclear test background.
– Separatrix
27 mins ago
@Fabby, it's a modern skeleton so you can't do C14 dating, it's already corrupted by the nuclear test background.
– Separatrix
27 mins ago
add a comment |Â
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1
What Tim wearing during his travelling? Is his TARD... time machine close by?
– Alexander von Wernherr
3 hours ago
@AlexandervonWernherr Good point, I forgot to mention the machine. The machine doesn't come with him. As for clothes, I have nothing specific in mind, just imagine casual wear from the 90s.
– noClue
3 hours ago
2
I fear that there won't be a corpse! If he was lynched by the mob because of witchcraft, they will most likely have burned the corpse. Furthermore, you need quite special circumstances to preserve a body so that even clothes are not completely rotten off.
– DarthDonut
3 hours ago
@DarthDonut That's what I kinda feared. Just imagine he gets murdered by a bunch of randos in the middle of a field instead. :) He would be left there and maybe they will be fearful enough of black magic to not take any of his possibly cursed belongings.
– noClue
3 hours ago
1
From the information given, "scientists" would not draw any conclusions. Please explain where (geographically) and when he died, what kind of clothing exactly, the condition of the body and clothes (I mean have you seen artifacts from the middle ages? That stuff is for the most part not in a good condition), how he was burried and so on. From the information you have provided, there is absolutely no chance to give a meaningful answer. It isn't really in the nature of science to create a story, but I guess you mean "what would a newspaper write that scientists had come up with"
– Raditz_35
3 hours ago