The origins of two purportedly pre-Columbian Mexican crystal skulls

Margaret Sax, Jane M. Walsh, Ian C. Freestone, Andrew H. Bevan and Nigel D. Meeks are researchers in archaeological science, and this peer reviewed Journal of Archaeological Science article reports their scanning electron microscope tool mark analysis and quartz source study of the British Museum and Smithsonian crystal skulls purportedly of pre-Columbian Mexican origin. Its strength is that it is peer reviewed physical analysis with reproducible methods, and it concludes the skulls were manufactured with modern rotary tools, not by pre-Columbian craft. Its limit is that it examines these two specific specimens, so a claim about a different crystal skull's authenticity needs its own independent physical analysis rather than an extension of this finding.