This article was originally published on Dec. 28, 2020.
For many people, the story of the Aztec crystal skulls begins and ends with the least memorable Indiana Jones movie in the storied franchise. To others, the crystal skulls have mystical psychic and healing powers. However, despite the Hollywood theatrics and online hype, not a single crystal skull has ever been pulled from an excavation site. The crystal skulls are all archaeological imposters.
And yet the real story of these fake crystal skulls is nonetheless filled with intrigue and mystery.
In major museum collections around the world, you can find masterfully carved and haunting crystal skulls in all manner of styles and sizes. The smallest is a simple amulet, while the largest is bigger than a bowling ball. And for generations, museum visitors have been captivated by their allure. Even today, you can still see some on display.
But in the ...
