Blurs

Few archaeological mysteries have acquired a reputation quite like the crystal skulls. Carved from transparent or translucent quartz, some of these objects have been claimed to be ancient creations of the Maya or Aztecs. Their supposed abilities are even more extraordinary. Stories have suggested that the skulls possess healing powers, contain hidden knowledge, can transmit information or represent technology belonging to an advanced civilisation that existed thousands of years ago. But there is a problem. When the most famous crystal skulls were examined scientifically, the evidence pointed in a very different direction. Rather than being ancient Mesoamerican artefacts, several appear to have been manufactured in relatively recent times. So how did one of archaeology's strangest legends become so convincing? The skulls The objects at the centre of the mystery are human-skull-shaped carvings made from quartz crystal. Some are relatively small, others are almost life-sized. Their po...