Description
The crystal skulls are works of art cut from quartz or rock crystal, shaped like human skulls. They surfaced in the second half of the nineteenth century and were originally attributed to various pre-Columbian civilizations. Research in the 1990s, using tools including a scanning tunneling microscope, showed that at least some of these skulls are forgeries. They were made with grinding instruments that were only developed in the second half of the nineteenth century. There is a strong suspicion that several of the crystal skulls were commissioned by the French dealer Eugène Boban and sold by him. One of the most famous skulls is the Mitchell-Hedges skull. It was said to have been found by the British adventurer F.A. Mitchell-Hedges in a chamber beneath the ruins of Lubaantun in Belize. He later discovered that he had purchased this skull privately at Sotheby's in London. His wife explained that he had only given the skull as collateral and had bought it back through Sotheby's. After Anna Mitchell-Hedges' death, the skull came into the possession of Bill Homann. In the 1990s, it was discovered that the Mitchell-Hedges skull was also a forgery. Since then, numerous hypes and legends have arisen surrounding the crystal skulls. Because of their supposed discovery, they were said to have been created centuries ago by the Mayans, the Aztecs, or an even older pre-Columbian civilization. They were also said to possess paranormal powers and should never be looked directly into their eyes. Another legend claims they have extraterrestrial origins. Thirteen of them are said to exist on Earth. Once reunited, they are said to share their knowledge with humanity. Even today, the skulls still play a role in some parts 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
Rock crystal is the colorless and most common variety of the mineral quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO2). The name "rock crystal" is derived from the Greek word "krustallos," meaning ice. It was believed that rock crystal was ice shaped by the gods. Rock crystal was already known during the Mesolithic period. During the Roman period, it was brought from the Alps under the name "petrified ice." Theofratus called it "krystallos." Pliny the Elder also mentions it. The name "quartz" was introduced in 1529 by Georgius Agricola. Eastern peoples considered rock crystal the stone of patience and perfection. Tibetans use rock crystal to treat wounds. The choice of rock crystal as a drinking glass or as part of medieval jewelry can be attributed to the belief that these crystals would break or discolor when they came into contact with poison. Thus, the chain became an amulet that protected the king. Compare the Rudolphinian imperial crown and the chain of the Jehovah's Witnesses. Origin: Megnathites, pegmatites, hydrothermal and alpine veins, alluvial deposits. Occurrence: Rock crystal is widespread in nature, but not always in gem quality. Historically known sources are India and Sri Lanka (the Tatnaputi area). Iridescent quartz from the Poona region in India and Myanmar is rare. Beautiful crystals come from Kenya and Madagascar, as well as Brazil (Minas Gerais). Goisas, Bahia, and French Guiana. In the United States, rock crystal occurs in pegmatites, including in Maine (near Ausburn), New York, North Carolina, Arkansas (Crystal Peak), and California. Of particular significance are occurrences in the Alps. Rock crystals are found in Switzerland (for example, near Urim, where a 135 kg crystal was found in the area of St. Gotthard and Grimsel), and in Austria (in 1965, a crystal weighing almost 1000 kg was found in a cavity near the Grossglockner). Rock crystals are also found in Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, and France. Unique cut rock crystals are held in the collections of various museums. The Smithsonian Institution, Washington, owns a 7000-carat cut stone and a spherical rock crystal with a diameter of 33 cm and a weight of 48.5 kg; this one originates from Burma and was cut in China.
