Jo-Ann Robin Elsberry » Crystal Skulls : Links

Links

The Skeptic’s Dictionary Last Update 06/09/06 and compiled by Robert Todd Carroll: This is a great website that provides plenty of links to related topics. It is a compilation of various sources and is not authoritative. This site exists in order to disprove the claims made by individuals who believe in an un-provable claim. I think that this site was made to provide individuals that do not believe every thing they hear with proof to discredit it. It provides references for the individual to look at. The site does not provide any new information on the topic.
Crystal Skulls Last Updated 06/09/06 and compiled by Ellie Crystal: If you are a great believer in meta-physics and energy this would be a nice site to visit. It has some great pictures of various crystal skulls that have been found. It even gives a picture of how the thirteen skulls should be arranged when they meet, in order to impart the great knowledge in them. The site does not have a lot of scientific supporting information. The information is secondary, and taken form other sources. This site is directed to individuals that think the crystal skulls have magical properties, or given to us by extra terrestrials. There is very little reference to the archaeology in the findings of the skulls.
Wikipedia Last Updated 07/09/06 and compiled by Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.: Yes, it is the encyclopedia of the Internet. The site does give you all the basic information you would need to start a search. It looks at the claims of magic and extraterrestrial influences with a grain of salt. It is directed at a general audience. The site does provide external links in the text as well as in a separate section and a reference for the Smithsonian Institute. It is not an authorities source on the skulls, bur provides good secondary information. The only bias seen is that against people who believe in the mystical power of crystal skulls.
Cult and Fringe Archaeology Last Updated 05/03/06 and compiled by Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews: The information on this site is short and brief. It has extensive research and resources. It is targeted towards people in archaeology, particularly fantastic archeology. It has some great information that covers a lot of the topics covered in our book. He has gotten his information from authoritative sources and provides competent information that disproves any pseudo-scientific claims. The information on the skulls is just a summary of the data that has been presented before.
MesoWeb Last date accessed 09/21/06 and compiled by Joel Skidmore. Copyright 1996-2006.: This is a great site if you have any interest in ancient Mayan culture. If you go to the features link you will find a video and game called appropriately Crystal Skull. Though the site is not dedicated to explaining the crystal skull, it offers primary source data on Mayan culture and archaeology. The site is focused on providing educational resources, especially to high school teachers. If anything the video clip shows that it is possible to use some fantastic perceptions to help get people interested in the real archaeological findings.
The UnMuseum Last date accessed 09/12/06 and compiled by Lee Krystek. Copyright 1998-2006.: This is a site that has second (or third, maybe even fourth) hand information. It is very typical of people that think all the claims about the crystal skulls are true, and is made for them. There are no references or citations to support the information presented. The site does have some nice pictures of various skulls that have been “found”, though there is no archaeological backing for their age or authenticity. The site was composed by a group that supports the use of crystal skulls to bring about harmony and peace, not to mention increase your psychic talents.
The Ancient Crystal Skulls Last date accessed 09/18/06 and compiled by Dan Bright. Copyright 1996-2006.: The general portion of site recommended does give some information that has a few discernible facts. This site is the vision of Joshua and Desy Shapiro who have gone off the deep end per se. Not only are the crystal skulls from aliens, who gave them to Atlantians, but they will herald a new peace in the world. He strongly believes that the skulls are linked to the Mayan calender that ends 21 December, 2012. The information presented here is not based in any scientific fact and is generally the thoughts of a man who has embraced an idea so far-fetched that it is barely based in reality. He even contradicts himself when comparing ‘ancient’ skulls to modern skulls in their ability to channel thoughts and energy. He even admits to carving skulls himself and using them in rituals. What happened to the great knowledge passed down from the aliens beyond the stars? Apparently quartz is a universal receiver of information. If you want to read a work of fantastic fiction directed to those who believe in the metaphysical, this is the place.
Graham Hancock Last date accessed 09/20/06 and maintained by Amazing Internet Ltd for Graham Hancock.: This site covers a wide area of ideas. What is truly note worthy is that this site is made by a an individual that has been college educated. He has some form of credentials, but misconstrues any scientific evidence that has been found to meet his perceptions. It is like taking a small statement from a paper out of its original context. He does have a few scholarly articles on his site, but rarely uses citation. There is little on the topic of crystal skulls, but he does have a nice section on theories about Atlantis. It is targeted at the more skeptical, but still gullible portion of society that finds comfort that their information is coming from a PhD. It is worth a look just to see how science can be misused.
The Official Mitchell-Hedges Site Last date accessed 09/20/06 and maintained by JASKE with contributions by Anna Mitchell-Hedges. Copyright 2004.: The main crystal skull that has gained much attention is the Mitchell-Hedges “Skull of Doom”, then it is only fitting to have the perspective of the original finder of the skull. This by no means is an academic site with articles or references outlining its archaeological discovery. Most of the content is a narrative by Anna, who was claimed to of found the skull under an alter. The site gives a more personal account of the skull and its impact on the individuals involved. The site is mainly directed to people that believe the skull is magical and average people. I would call the personal account of Anna a first hand resource though, but take the rest of the information cautiously. The site is not bad to get a different perspective on the history of the skull though.
World Mysteries Last date accessed 09/20/06 and designed by World-Mysteries.com (no author could be found). Copyright 2002-2006.: At first glance this seems like a site that provide some valid references and support for different theories around unexplained things in the world. Upon closer examination most of the information is copied from their on-line sources, or come from doubtful sources all together. The site starts explaining the Mitchell-Hedges skulls finding and subsequent denouncement by the archaeological community. Not a bad start, but the site ends with a large section from Joshua and Desy Sherpiro’s web site. It was moderately informative, but only if you could discern fact from fiction. This is targeted to an average person browsing the inter-net, looking for the fantastic.