Egyptologist and pre-historian Stephen Mehler discussed ancient crystal skulls (photos), exploring their debated history, and mysterious functions and properties. He refuted a recent report that the skulls are "modern fakes," and said academic scientists lack an understanding of crystals. Two of the skulls (Max & Sha-Na-Ra) are definitively ancient, carved by hand instead of contemporary tools, he noted.

He shared the work of crystal skull researchers Nick Nocerino and Marcel Vogel. The late Nocerino, a prominent parapsychologist, was one of the first to bring attention to the skulls, and he believed there were 15-18 ancient skulls in existence. Vogel pointed out that the crystal skulls have missing silicon atoms in their bonding, and theorized it was these open spots that make them receptive to human communications (such as from breathing and sound) and allow them to store information.

The skulls can act like portals during these communications, giving people the sense they are going into the skull and seeing unknown dimensions, and they also have healing abilities, Mehler detailed. We know the ancient skulls came from Mexico and Central America, he said-- one of the skulls was found buried in the tomb of a Mayan shaman, but may have actually been created earlier by the Olmecs.