With the release of the new movie, Paris’ Quai Branly museum is putting its very own crystal skull on display…



There are actually twelve crystal skulls known to exist in the world. The largest is in the Smithsonian, one is at the British Museum, one in Paris and nine others are in private collections. The Paris skull was donated in 1978 by the explorer Alphonse Pinart to the Musée d’ethnographie du Trocadéro and is one of the first objects to be added to the collection of what is now the Musée du Quai Branly.

Legend has it that the twelve skulls relate to the twelve worlds where human life has been present (?) and that a thirteenth skull was guarded in a pyramid by the Aztecs. One interpretation of the legend states that the 13 skulls must be line up on the last day of the Mayan calendar (21st December 2012) to stop the world form spinning off its axis. Perfect material for the storyline of a movie!

As it happens, none of the existing skulls have actually been found during archeological digs, and analyses of the Paris skull show that it was almost definitely made in the late 19th Century, not before. Sometimes Hollywood is much more exciting than real life…

A whole exposition about the crystal skull will be shown at the museum from 20th October 2009 to 10th January 2010, however the skull is currently on show and there’s a special treasure trail for kids, with skulls hidden all round the museum for them to find. As for the movie, following the world première at Cannes there’s a special first showing of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull at Paris’ Max Linder Panorama cinema at one minute past midnight on Tuesday night (20th May 2008). It’s a digital projection – i.e. fantastic quality – in one of Paris’ best cinemas, so if you’re in town hurry up and book your tickets here!

Here’s all the essential information for seeing the Crystal Skull at the Musée du Quai Branly

When: 20th May – 7th September 2008
Where: Musée du Quai Branly, 37 quai Branly, Paris 7th arrondissement. Métro Alma-Marceau (line 9), RER line C – Pont de l’Alma
Opening hours: A little complicated… Closed Mondays (except in April). Other days, opens at 11am and closes at 7pm (Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday) or 9pm (Thursday, Friday, Saturday). Closed 1st May
Admission: 10 euros adults, 7.5 euros students. Free for under 18s. Free for 18-25 year-olds on Saturdays starting 6pm
Official site: here
Wikipedia page: here

Bigger map here