THE discoverer of one of the greatest artefacts of the 20th century – the mysterious Mayan Crystal Skull – has turned 100. Anna Mitchell-Hedges, a former Shaldon resident along with her celebrated explorer father Frederick Mitchell-Hedges, claims to have discovered the skull in the ruins of a Mayan temple, in Belize, aged 17. Some scholars across the world have claimed that the story of the skull's discovery – the construction of which still baffles scientists today – is a fabrication. Yet speaking from her home of six years in Indiana, Ms Mitchell-Hedges maintains that she unearthed the skull. 'It was the most beautiful surprise,' she said. Ms Mitchell Hedges – who is still the president of Teignmouth Sea Angling Society – lived with her adopted father at Shaldon House during the 1950s. The revered explorer was buried at sea in 1959. The mystery of the Mitchell-Hedges skull has defined the life of Ms Mitchell-Hedges and has enthralled scholars and adventure lovers. The skull, one of 13 that have been discovered, is the most celebrated of all because of its striking similarity to its human form complete will moveable jawbone. It was on an expedition to the Mayan ruins of Lubaantun, Belize, that the discovery was made. The story goes that the young Anna was rummaging through ancient ruins when she found the object. It was lacking a jawbone, but it was discovered three months later, feet away from the initial discovery – some scholars claim that the skull was planted by Mr Mitchell-Hedges for his 17-year-old daughter to find on her birthday. But documents held at the British Museum suggest that, in fact, Mr Mitchell-Hedges bought the skull in 1943 from art dealer Sidney Burney. But, Bill Homan, an old friend of Ms Mitchell-Hedges claims there is a simple explanation.

'Burney looked after the artefacts for Mitchell-Hedges while he was out of the country. 'When he died suddenly without Mitchell-Hedges knowing, his son put everything up for auction,' he said. Ms Mitchell-Hedges has in the past said that the skull was used as collateral when Mr. Burney, a family friend, loaned her father money. When Burney was ready to sell the skull via Sotheby's of London, her father paid him back and the skull was returned. Tests in the 1970s by Hewlett Packard Laboratories, leader in Crystal research, revealed no clues to its construction. One researcher famously remarked, 'the damned thing should not be'. Ms Mitchell-Hedges has travelled with the skull on tours and lectures. She teaches the spirit of adventure and the skull's mysterious qualities, said Mr Homan. 'Her wish is to carry on the work she has done. She has travelled with original slides of the expedition and young people are interested in adventure and she is doing what she wants. 'A lot of people want to discredit things because they have never gone out and done things like Anna or her father. 'The truth is the truth and who cares what other people say,' said Mr Homan. Hollywood producers have shown interest in adapting the tale for the big screen. 'It could be bigger than Indiana Jones,' said Mr Homan.