PAGE 8 - June 4, 2008
THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
The Newscaster online: www.newscasterarchives.com
Rare Skull - Continued from page 1
pened to notice that the end of the rock appeared to be a face (the small idol was attached by
sediment to a large rock). He rinsed-off the dirt and uncovered the statue, which was easily
identified as Mayan by the large nose so common to Mayan art, Dawson said. The mystery
of the idol is that the Mayans were not indigenous to this area. Dawson speculates that a
trader acquired the artifact from the Mayans and later traded the statue with area Indians, and
the relic was lost in a sinkhole, to be found by his friend's father, many years later!
Dawson has made at least 17 trips to archaeological sites all over the world and has
many interesting items, including several skulls, one made of mother-of-pearl and one made
of hollowed-out onyx that originally had a residue to the interior, which probably came from
fire. The onyx skull was possibly used in sacrificial ceremonies, for which the Mayans were
well-known. "Pretty gruesome people," commented Dawson. He also has an authentic Mayan
calender wheel made of many different types of wood and a book penned by an authority on
the Mayan calender, specifically made for Dawson, that notes the numbers in his birth date.
"The number seven is one of the numbers in my date of birth," said Dawson. "It represents
God, which I find very interesting."
His most valuable item is, most likely, the green obsidian skull that Dawson believes
is very ancient. He is convinced that the skull is one of 9 known of the Legend of the 13
Crystal Skulls, because as a graduate gemologist (from the Gemological Institute of America),
Dawson can see no markings to lend a modern date to the skull's crafting.
Dawson says he bought his obsidian skull from a Brazilian dealer, 7 years ago. He'd
asked the dealer to find him a large piece of obsidian, which is volcanic glass, used by the
Mayans as cutting tools and surgical scalpels. Dawson bought the skull, "site unseen," after
the dealer contacted him and told him that he had a large skull made of obsidian. He met with
him, along with a Peruvian translator and a boy who was the son of the man who had found
the skull.
There were two, very brief, stories of where the skull had been found. The dealer
Saturday at 7 PM Memorial Day weekend a cloud of black smoke could be seen in the
simply said that the skull was found near a volcano. When the translator asked how one of
air above the western end of West River Rd. A Crystal River fire truck appeared and found a
the lower teeth came to be chipped, the boy said that his father chipped it with a shovel when
car on fire that appeared to be wrecked. Neighbors at the scene said a male had crashed on
he dug it up. "The dealer immediately cut off the conversation and completed the transac-
the corner and ran east on West River Rd saying he was running to get someone. The car was
tion," said Dawson. "There was no further conversation. The skull had obviously been
totally inflamed when the Crystal River fire department arrived and got the fire under control
cleaned-off, and was wrapped with newspapers from Rio de Janeiro. And there was soil
before it spread to the neighboring home. Photo by Sally Price
scattered about the container holding the skull," very dark, rich soil. Dawson speculates that
the skull was probably found somewhere deep in the Amazon jungle, "But I can only specu-
Hickory Island
late, I can't be certain of that."
The obsidian skull contains over 58,000 carats and weighs over 23 pounds - that is,
it did, until May 23rd, when the back portion of the skull mysteriously exploded, loudly, into
"Preserving Florida's Southern Spirit"
several pieces, when a Tampa Bay Channel 10 photojournalist placed a light behind the skull
in preparation for filming a television special that aired last week about Dawson and his
Restaurant and Seafood Market
collections. Placing the light behind the skull either overheated the stone or angered the
skull, whichever way you prefer to interpret the strange incident. Dawson claimed no magical
Lighthouse Lounge
qualities for his skull, he simply stated, "I know he's tempermental!" Dawson says, that if you
place a light behind the skull, "The eyes glow eerily." He also pointed-out natural inclusions
Live Music
in the obsidian, at the back of the skull, that look like the Milky Way galaxy.
Breakfast
After the portion exploded from the posterior of the skull, Dawson estimates that his
Generations
skull, a male skull, is now substantially less valuable, "down from seven-figures to six-fig-
Friday-Sat. Nights
Ser ved
ures," and smaller, by 5 pounds, to a weight of about 18 pounds. Dawson said the number "5"
has frequently been associated with the skull.
All Day
352-447-2520
Even with the damage to the skull, an offer has been made for its purchase, which
Dawson is considering. The carat value of the skull is about $5 to $10 per carat, which would
48 Hwy 19 S. Inglis
place the value of the piece at $290,000 to $580,000, without taking into consideration the
skull's potential antiquity. The skull was crafted from a very large piece of a "very rich dark-
e-mail your news to: newscast@atlantic.net
jade-green obsidian." Dawson declined to reveal what he paid for the piece, stating only, "I
paid a lot, but not nearly what it was worth."
"There are some obvious modern ones (skulls) made in the modern era," said Dawson,
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who is planning to speak with directors at the Smithsonian Institute to ask if they will evalu-
ate his skull, in a couple of weeks, when he will be in Washington D.C. to attend a very special
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where he will be recognized for his contribution to the
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Republican Party. "I've done a lot of work for the Re-
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publican Party," he said. Dawson is the Honorable Chair-
Excellent 3/1 block home in peaceful acres backs to open field--------------- - $94,900.
man for Florida with the National Republican Congres-
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sional Committee. Dawson is pictured wearing his straw
Lovely 2/2 with two car ports on 2.3 high acres on river road------------------$124,900.
hat, "which is great for swatting mosquitoes," said
Very nice 2/1 on 1 acre with two sheds and car port 151 Sandi St--------------$47,900.
Dawson with his infectious grin, displaying his
Like new 3 yr old palm point home, many upgrades, a steal at only-----------$149,900.
President's Dinner invitation, along with his recent
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Reagan Congressional Commission Award and Integ-
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rity and Committment Award. Dawson was also the Di-
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Darryl A. Diamond
rector of C.E.T.A., over the South Pacific (Micronesia),
352-447- 4442
Lic. Real Estate Broker
during President Jimmy Carter's administration.
Real Estate Investment Consultant
Dawson didn't think it strange that "magical"
qualities are attributed to some of the skulls, as quartz crystal is known to amplify energy and
Cell "call Shirley 352 400-0301
Darryl-Vicki Diamond & Shirley
used in powering watches and electronics. Perhaps the antiquity of Dawson's skull will soon
"The Diamond Team"
be verified and it will be known as "Dr. Gem's Tempermental Green Obsidian Skull."