The Mystery of the Crystal Skulls by Chris Morton & Ceri Louise Thomas ©
2008 Bear & Company ISBN 978-1-879181-80-9 389 pages Paperback
$20.00 (U.S.) $22.50 (Canada)
"The Crystal Skull" (the Mitchell-Hedges skull) was first brought to the
attention of the general public in the 1970s, although it had been
discovered decades before. Until recently it had faded from the popular
memory. Then came the production, and release, of a major motion picture
with the crystal skulls (yes, more have been found) as a major theme and
interest was resurrected. Technology has advanced and so has the level of
information distribution. No longer the exclusive domain of fringe
science,
major players (including the BBC) expressed an interest in the background,
discovery and investigation of these unusual artifacts.
This book was first published in 1997 and, while more than a decade has
passed, it remains one of the best books on the subject. Gathering, as it
does, input from scientists and archeologists, native storytellers and
religious leaders, as well as UFO researchers, it presents a much broader,
more in-depth look at a fascinating subject than many previous works.
This book has been re-issued at this time to tie-in to the release of the
new "Indiana Jones" movie, although there are minimal actual connections
between the two items. The authors are not making outlandish claims and
expecting the reader to accept them on faith. They carefully lay out the
trail of the skulls and document the events surrounding them.
The length of time since this book was originally issued shows through in
places, especially in Chapter 8 which deals with channeled information.
Attitudes toward, and understanding of, channeling have changed in the
past
decade. This doesn't invalidate the information contained in this
chapter,
however.
The authors have assembled an almost unbelievable amount of information
concerning the skulls - both "hard, factual" information and largely
unverifiable information obtained through non-traditional sources. They
are
careful to differentiate between the types and are not given to hyperbole.
There is a great deal of space dedicated to the cultures which produced
(or
may have produced) the crystal skulls. Unfortunately, most of what we
know
of these cultures has been recorded by their conquerors, and this
information may be presumed to be biased in at least some degree. The
authors take the time to examine what we believe we know of these cultures
as well as what the descendants of these cultures believe may have been
the
truth.
Speculation is the basis for this book, as it must be. The topic is one
which has been overlooked/ignored by mainstream academics since it falls,
potentially, in the realm of religion (or even worse, possible
extraterrestrial origin). Religion is a subject which evokes very strong
emotions, while extraterrestrial topics invite derision. Even the most
vocal "atheistic" scientists often express their conclusions in terms of
how
they refute religious perceptions.
Since nothing can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, it falls to the
authors to present a plausible case for their arguments, and this they do
in
a fair and reasoned way.
In the talks the authors had with various indigenous peoples, as well as a
couple of "channelers" they, and we, are reminded of the
interconnectedness
of all life in the universe. It is not "us" and "them" or "it". It is
"we," and we can't afford to forget that. The natural world does not
exist
to be conquered, but to be experienced and enjoyed.
This book is not intended to be a proponent of Pagan thought, although it
accomplishes this goal as a consequence of its balanced approach and fair
re****ting. The authors tell us what their interviewers said, not what the
authors think they might have meant. They make no attempt to force
"facts"
to fit their preconceptions. In stepping away from that attitude they
give
the subject, and their readers, the respect which is deserved.
There are no hard and fast conclusions in the end, merely possibilities,
and
that is fine. The book should find an interested audience, and not just
among fans of Indiana Jones.
|
