The Mitchell-Hedges Skull is an ancient artifact of unknown origin that has been shrouded in mystery for centuries. Believed to be made of quartz crystal, the skull is said to have been discovered in the 1920s by the explorer and adventurer F.A. Mitchell
Crystal skulls are human skull hardstone carvings made of clear, milky white or other types of quartz, claimed to be pre-Columbian Mesoamerican artifacts by their alleged finders; however, these claims have been refuted for all of the specimens made available for scientific studies. The results of these studies demonstrated that those examined were manufactured in the mid-19th century or later, almost certainly in Europe, during a time when interest in ancient culture abounded. The skulls appear to have been crafted in Germany, quite likely at workshops in the town of Idar-Oberstein, which was renowned for crafting objects made from imported Brazilian quartz in the late 19th century.