Description
The crystal skulls are works of art carved from quartz or rock crystal in the shape of human skulls. These appeared in the second half of the nineteenth century and were originally attributed to various pre-Columbian civilizations. Research in the 1990s, using a scanning tunneling microscope among other methods, showed that at least a number of these skulls are forgeries. These were made with grinding tools that were not developed until the second half of the nineteenth century. There is a strong suspicion that a number of the crystal skulls were manufactured on commission for the French merchant Eugène Boban and sold by him. One of the most famous skulls is the Mitchell-Hedges skull. It is said to have been found by the British adventurer F.A. Mitchell-Hedges in a chamber beneath the ruins of Lubaantun in Belize. It later emerged that he had purchased this skull privately at the London auction house Sotheby's. His wife gave the reason that he had merely given the skull to someone as collateral and had bought it back through Sotheby's. After the death of Anna Mitchell-Hedges, the skull came into the possession of Bill Homann. In the 1990s, it turned out that the Mitchell-Hedges skull was also a fake. In the meantime, numerous hypes and legends have arisen surrounding the crystal skulls. Due to their supposed discovery site, they were allegedly manufactured centuries ago by the Mayans, the Aztecs, or an even older pre-Columbian civilization. They were also said to possess paranormal abilities, and one should never look them directly in the eyes. According to another legend, they have an extraterrestrial origin. Thirteen of them are said to be found on Earth. Once reunited, they would share their knowledge with humanity. Even today, the skulls still play a role within a part of the New Age community.
In fiction:
• In the 2008 film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, all the above legends are combined.
• The Hidden Crystal, a book by Manda Scott, deals with the crystal skulls and the Mayan 2012 phenomenon.
• In the 21st episode of season 3 of the 2000 science fiction series Stargate SG-1 (Crystal Skull), Daniel Jackson disappears when he looks into a crystal skull.
• The Assassin's Creed series refers to the skulls, where they are ancient artifacts with mysterious powers.
Gemstone skulls. Gemstone skulls have been popular and mysterious for many cultures for decades. The skulls have a wide variety of meanings. Celtic skulls symbolize Time, Power, creation, initiation, and concentration. Celtic culture believes the skull is a seat of power and strength. Some texts refer to the skull as the seat of our soul. Archaeological discoveries teach us that the ancient Celts offered skulls to sacred sources. The skull is universally seen as a symbol of life and death. More recently, the skull has been linked to death and embracing our mortality. In times long past, the skull sometimes represented life. Skulls and skeletons are the symbol of the Mexican holiday, the Day of the Dead. The skull and crossbones is a popular symbol for pirates and poison. Some healers use skulls to see visions of the present, past, and future. Other materials used include rose quartz, rock crystal, rhodonite, aventurine, and hematite.
The mystery of the skulls
Agate is a transparent, but sometimes also opaque, variety of quartz and a subvariety of chalcedony. The chemical structure of agate is identical to jasper, flint, and hornstone, and it is often found together with opal. The colorful, striped specimens are used as semi-precious stones. The name agate comes from the Greek Ἀχάτης, Achatès, the name of the present-day Dirillo River in southern Sicily, where agates and other chalcedonies were found. Traditionally, agate was worn as a lucky stone or for healing. Utensils such as buttons were also made from agate. A number of medicinal properties are attributed to agate, such as protection during pregnancy, relief from headaches, skin conditions, and balance disorders. According to various literature, agate is associated with the zodiac signs Aquarius, Taurus, Scorpio, and Gemini. Agate formations occur as a solution of silicic acid in cavities in older rocks. The stones can be artificially stained to obtain color combinations that are more vibrant than those found in nature. The major sources of agate are Brazil, Uruguay, and the United States (Oregon, Washington, and around Lake Superior). Closer to the Netherlands and Belgium, agate is also found in the Hunsrück in Germany.
Chemical composition: SiO2 + Al, Ca, Fe, Mn Crystal system: belongs to chalcedony-like quartz crystals, trigonal. Cleavage: none. Color: light blue or gray, but it can also be green. Streak color: none. Luster: vitreous, matte, silky. Hardness (Mohs): 6.5 to 7. Average density: 2.65 kg/dm³. Transparency: transparent to translucent.
