The Library / Subject

Ancient Mysteries

Lost civilisations, archaeological puzzles and artefacts with contested histories.

John Dee’s famous spirit mirror turns out to have been made in Mexico, but the evidence that it ever belonged to him is thinner than its reputation.

A village priest’s sudden fortune inspired decades of treasure hunting, coded parchments and claims about a secret at the heart of Christianity.

A crystal skull was said to have come from a Maya temple, but a dealer’s catalogue, a Sotheby’s sale and a microscope told a different story.

Search the archives