Two it! staffers have an adventure seeing the Smithsonian's crystal skull
Date published: 7/17/2008
BY MATT CAMERON
Everybody loves to watch a hero like Indiana Jones go on amazing expeditions to save the world from the forces of evil. But last Wednesday, fellow it! staffer Brinkley Sharpe and I had the opportunity to actually follow in Dr. Jones' adventurous footsteps by going to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History for a sneak peek at an actual crystal skull.
As everyone who's anyone knows, crystal skulls are mysterious objects supposedly predating the 15th-century arrival of Christopher Columbus in Central America. Of the 13 known skulls, many are purported to have originated in Guatemala, though they are not associated with a particular tribe or culture.
The legend of the skulls came into the spotlight this summer, after the artifacts were heavily featured in the latest record-breaking installment of the Indiana Jones series.
So, when the Smithsonian last week announced its plan to unveil one of the skulls, which it obtained under mysterious circumstances in 1992, Brinkley and I made plans to attend the media event at which museum director Cristián Samper, anthropologist Jane MacLaren Walsh and others would discuss their efforts to unlock its secrets.
Having seen the trouble that Dr. Jones went through to find a crystal skull, however, we knew that our excursion wouldn't be at all easy--and we were right.
THE VRE RIDE OF DOOM
The first obstacle that had to be overcome was the challenge of waking up. In order to catch our adventure train at 6:30 a.m., I arose at 5 to prepare myself for the journey. While it was bothersome to lose five hours of sleep because of this, it was reassuring to find that the world does, indeed, exist at such an early hour. I proceeded to the train station, where I met my partner in crime.
What: The Smithsonian Crystal Skull is on display.
Where: Science in the News exhibit case, Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, Washington
When: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily Cost: Free
Info: 202/633-1000
Web: mnh.si.edu/exhibits
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