One of archaeology’s most compelling mysteries is that of the 13 Crystal Skulls. Skulls have been one of the most powerful objects of symbolism in human history, all over the world. Several “perfect” crystal Skulls have been found in parts of Mexico, Central and South America. Together, they form a mystery as enigmatic as the Nazca Lines, the Great Pyramids and Stonehenge.
These skulls are believed to be between 5000 and 35000 years old. During early expeditions, archaeologists were told by locals that the skulls possessed magical powers and healing properties. However, people were unsure as to where they came from, or even why they existed. Some like to believe that these were remains from the lost civilization of Atlantis. Others like to believe these are fakes. And yet another group of psychics believe that these skulls have the capability to enable us to look into the past, present and future. Why would so much work and time be spent on perfecting a human skull made out of one of the hardest substances known to man after diamonds, rock crystal? The cutting of which requires great expertise and precision and the carving and polishing of which is equally time-consuming? In other words, why a skull? Some scientists and sceptics say about these skulls is that they were probably made in the 1800s, as the tools used or required to do such work were not available to the civilisations of the past.
Historians and social anthropologists decided to find out more about the strange skulls. Very soon, they came across an ancient Indian legend saying that there had been thirteen crystal skulls of the Goddess of Death; they had been kept separately from each other under the strict control of pagan priests and special warriors.
Searches for more skulls started; some of them were found in museums and some in private collections not only in the USA, but in Mexico, Brazil, France, Mongolia, and in Tibet. There were more than 13 skulls found. However, not all of them were as perfect as Mitchell-Hedges- was. Very likely, those were just later attempts to create something similar to the original skulls that were believed to have been gifts by God to the people.
The very construction and make of the skulls defies common logic. There are several crystal skulls in existence today around the world.They are :
The Mitchell – Hedges Skull
Perhaps the most famous crystal skull in the world today is the Mitchell-Hedges Crystal Skull, named after a real-life “Indiana Jones” of the 20th Century, British explorer and adventurer F. A. Mitchell-Hedges. The most distinguishable characteristic of this crystal skull is its extraordinary clarity and its detachable jaw, carved from the same piece of quartz as the rest of the skull. This crystal skull was originally called the “Skull of Dunn” after an associate on one of the expeditions to Lubaantun (Belize).
British Crystal Skull and Paris Crystal Skull
They are said to have been bought in the 1890’s by mercenaries in Mexico. One is at the London’s Museum of Mankind and the other is at the Trocadero Museum of Paris.
Mayan Crystal Skull and Amethyst Skull
The Mayan and the Amethyst skull were bought to the United States by a Mayan priest. They were found in Guatemala and Mexico. They were both tested and were found to have also been cut against the axis of the rocks.
Ami Crystal Skull
Its history is unsure, purportedly it was part of a collection of crystal skulls held by the Mexican President Diaz from 1876-1910, but also we have reports the skull was discovered in the Oaxaca area (Mexico) and was hand down generation to generation through an order of Mayan Priests. Now it resides in San Jose.
Aztec Skulls.
The Aztec skull that is at the Museum of Man in London has been said to move on its own inside its glass case and museum staff seem uncomfortable around it.
Rose Quartz Crystal Skull
The rose quartz crystal skull is very much like the Mitchell Hedges skull and was found near the border of Honduras and Guatemala. Its lower jaw is movable
ET Skull
Joke Van Dieten Maasland has a smoky quartz crystal skull, which was discovered in 1906 during the excavation of a Mayan temple in Guatemala. Joke states that the skull has healing powers and helped heal a brain tumour in a book she has written titled, Messengers of Ancient Wisdom. The skull is named E.T. because it has a pointed head and an exaggerated jaw with an overbite, which makes it look like it an alien-shaped head. The rose quartz crystal skull is very much like the Mitchell Hedges skull and was found near the border of Honduras and Guatemala. Its lower jaw is movable
Texas Crystal Skull
Then we have MAX, the Texas skull, which was in the possession of a Tibetan healer, Norbu Chen, who gave it to Carl and Jo Parks against a debt. It was only after Jo found out that the skull was of archaeological interest worldwide that she took it out of her closet and had it examined by an expert. It was indeed found to be ancient.
Synergy Crystal Skull
This skull first came to light in the Western world, when it was acquired over two and a half decades ago by a European businessman and avid hiker, as he traveled around Central and South America. He was given the skull by a very old native man, in a tiny, village, in the Andes, near the borders of Peru, Bolivia and Chile.
- Mahasamatman Crystal Skull
- Mahasamatman (the name of an Indian Prince) is one of the lesser known crystal skulls, yet it is one of the most activated crystal skulls.
Sha-Na-Ra, Jaguar Man and the Rainbow Skull
The Sha-Na-Ra, Jaguar Man and Rainbow skulls have all been unearthed at ancient sites according to researchers.
Said to have ancient origins, Amar is one the largest known old crystal skulls, at 22 lbs, and is made of Clear Quartz (with a slight Smoky tint). Amar embodies the energies of love and compassion, just as the Dalai Lama does.
Smithsonian Crystal Skull
The crystal skull sought by Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in the latest silver-screen installment of the archaeologist’s over-the-top adventures is, of course, a movie prop—masquerading as an ancient artifact from pre-Columbian Central America.
Are these skulls really the ancient showcases of human wisdom and hold powerful knowledge or as scientists say, just clever fakes? But the only thing is that a “fake” is a replica of the original. And whoever made these bafflingly mysterious crystal skulls and for whatever purpose, has left a big question, the answer to which is really not ‘crystal’ clear.
