So sorry. Did you bust one?

Skullduggery, Indiana Jones? Museum says crystal skull not Aztec
news.yahoo.com/s/afp/2008...ajonesskull

"One of only a dozen such skulls known to exist worldwide, the Quai Branly museum's piece was acquired in 1878 from an Indiana Jones-type explorer, Alphonse Pinart, as an Aztec masterpiece believed to be hundreds of years old, the remnant of an ancient and mysterious civilisation.

"But in a statement Friday the museum admitted the skull, rather than dating from the Aztec period, was probably made in the 19th century...

"C2RMF engineers Thomas Calligaro and Yvan Coquinot told AFP that three months of analysis of the skull highlighted that the piece 'is certainly not pre-Columbian, it shows traces of polishing and abrasion by modern tools.'

"Analysis by a particle accelerator had also shown traces of water dating from the 19th century, they said.

"Like the London skull, the Paris piece was once in the hands of Eugene Boban, a controversial Paris dealer in archaeological objects believed to be well aware of the production of fake antiquities.

"But though no crystal skull yet found at archaeological digs has proved to be authentic, the 12 located around the world continue to arouse interest and speculation."

Yet another recent article on crystal skulls:

Crystal skulls: Fact or Fiction?
ap.google.com/article/ALe...pFQD91QHQUO4

"Crystals carved into the shape of a human skull fed the 19th century's need for drama and mystery and its fascination with death. They were supposed to be the creation of ancient Mesoamericans — Aztecs, Mixtecs, Toltecs, perhaps Maya.

"The skulls were claimed to represent the art and religion of these peoples. Some even said the skulls had special, even supernatural, powers.

"Scientists say it ain't so.

"Nonetheless, the giant crystal skull that mysteriously arrived at the Smithsonian 16 years ago is out of its locked cabinet in Walsh's office and will be on public view until Sept. 1."