Crystal Skull
The crystal skulls are a number of human skull hardstone carvings made of clear or milky quartz, known in art history as "rock crystal", claimed to be pre-Columbian Mesoamerican artifacts by their alleged finders; however, none of the specimens made available for scientific study have been authenticated as pre-Columbian in origin. The results of these studies demonstrated that those examined were manufactured in the mid-19th century or later, almost certainly in Europe. Despite some claims presented in an assortment of popularizing literature, legends of crystal skulls with mystical powers do not figure in genuine Mesoamerican or other Native American mythologies and spiritual accounts.
The skulls are often claimed to exhibit paranormal phenomena by some members of the New Age movement, and have often been portrayed as such in fiction. Crystal skulls have been a popular subject appearing in numerous sci-fi television series, novels, video games and a brand of vodka.
Read more about Crystal Skull: Crystal Skull Collections, Research Into Crystal Skull Origins, Speculations On Smaller Skulls, Paranormal Claims and Spiritual Associations, Crystal Skulls in Popular Culture
Famous quotes containing the words crystal and/or skull:
“Madame, ye been alle beautee shrine
As fer as cercled is the mapemounde:
For as the crystal glorious ye shine,
And like ruby been youre cheekes rounde.”
—Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?–1400)
“Panting, begging I clutched childlike, clutched to the hot sides of
death.
Now I am dry bones and my face a stony skull staring in yellow
surprise at the sun. . . .”
—Richard Wright (1808–1860)