Crystal Skulls' Dating - New Methods Revealed
Mayan & Aztec Quartz Skull Mysteries Unveiled through Technology
Mar 6, 2009
Recent investigations published in the Journal of Archaeological Science have thrown new light on the provenance of two important exhibits; the British Museum and Smithsonian Institute Crystal Skulls.
The British Museum Crystal Skull
The life-size carving of a human skull in the British Museum collection was made from a single block of quartz crystal. According to Museum records, the skull was acquired in 1897 from Tiffany and Co., New York, through Mr George Frederick Kunz who claimed that the skull originated in Mexico and was a genuine pre-Columbian artefact.
The Smithsonian Institution Crystal Skull
Sent to the Smithsonian by an anonymous donor in 1992, this milky white quartz hollow skull was accompanied by a note stating that the skull was purchased in Mexico in 1960. It was important that the provenance of this and other skulls could be verified.
Collaborative Investigation of Provenance
In 1996, a collaborative programme to authenticate these artifacts was set up between the British Museum, the Smithsonian Institution and the Department of Earth Sciences and Geography at Kingston University, Surrey, UK. The aim of the work was to answer three questions: How were the skulls carved, where did the quartz originate and what is known about the early history of skulls?
Scanning Electron Microscopy
In the 1950s the British Museum skull was studied using a conventional microscope. The conclusion reached was that the work could be a genuine pre-Columbian carving. However the new research team was able to subject the skulls to more rigorous testing through the use of the scanning electron microscope (SEM).
Striations on the Surface of the Quartz
Thanks to the power of the SEM, it was possible to clearly see the marks on the surface of the rock crystal made by the tools used. In the case of a genuine pre-Columbian goblet which was discovered during a well documented excavation in Mexico. it was noted that the striations were very uneven, indicating that hand tools had been used.
In contrast, the surfaces of the British Museum and Smithsonian skulls were covered in evenly spaced striations, evidence that a grinding wheel was used. Such wheels were not in use until after the Spanish conquest. Moreover, the quality of the striations on the Smithsonian skull indicated the use of an extremely strong grinding material, such as carborundum (silicon carbide), which only came into use in the mid 20th century.
Origins of Quartz Crystal
Another part of the investigation looked at where the quartz material was mined. Comparisons to quartz deposits around the world indicated that the British Museum skull quartz probably came from Brazil or Madagascar. Pieces of quartz large enough for the British Museum Skull were not being mined until the mid 19th century in Madagascar.
Conclusions
The investigation concluded that the Smithsonian Skull was probably manufactured in Mexico from local quartz deposits around the mid 20th century, but that the British Museum skull was made in the 19th century from Madagascan quartz. Neither were genuine antiquities, but clever fakes.
References:
"The Origin of two purportedly pre-Columbian Mexican Crystal skulls", Journal of Archaeological Science (2008) by M. Sax, J.M. Walsh, I.C. Freestone, A.H. Rankin and N.D. Meeks.
Department of Conservation and Scientific Research, British Museum, London, WCIB 3DG, UK
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