Mary Magdalene's skull: relic, science and skepticism in France
A skull attributed to Mary Magdalene is kept in France. In 2017, scientific studies dated it to the 1st century. Is it authentic or a medieval fake?
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Mary Magdalene's skull: the relic that divides believers and skeptics
In the crypt of the Basilica of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, a small village in the French Provence, one of the most controversial relics in Christianity is on display: a human skull in a golden bust-shaped reliquary, held up by angels. According to tradition, it belongs to Mary Magdalene, but not everyone buys it.
What do the scientific studies say?
In 2017, analyses were carried out on the skull and, according to the results, it matches a woman of about fifty from the 1st century. The finding, however, has not calmed the skepticism. For many, relics are a medieval business, and this case is no exception: "a fake to deceive the gullible," reads the comments. Science, it is argued, cannot really be trusted these days.
The Templar connection and the Baphomet myth
The story gets more complicated with the Knights Templar. When the Inquisition accused them in 1307 of worshipping a "golden head" called Baphomet, some theorists suggested that this head was precisely Mary Magdalene's reliquary. The theory adds an esoteric aura to an already fascinating relic, but without solid evidence.
The skull is still there, among the gold and the red velvet, raising more questions than certainties. While some venerate it, others dismiss it as a tourist attraction. The only sure thing is that its authenticity, like that of so many relics, depends more on faith than on evidence.
In the crypt of the Basilica of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, a small village in the French Provence, one of the most controversial relics in Christianity is on display: a human skull in a golden bust-shaped reliquary, held up by angels. According to tradition, it belongs to Mary Magdalene, but not everyone buys it.
What do the scientific studies say?
In 2017, analyses were carried out on the skull and, according to the results, it matches a woman of about fifty from the 1st century. The finding, however, has not calmed the skepticism. For many, relics are a medieval business, and this case is no exception: "a fake to deceive the gullible," reads the comments. Science, it is argued, cannot really be trusted these days.
The Templar connection and the Baphomet myth
The story gets more complicated with the Knights Templar. When the Inquisition accused them in 1307 of worshipping a "golden head" called Baphomet, some theorists suggested that this head was precisely Mary Magdalene's reliquary. The theory adds an esoteric aura to an already fascinating relic, but without solid evidence.
The skull is still there, among the gold and the red velvet, raising more questions than certainties. While some venerate it, others dismiss it as a tourist attraction. The only sure thing is that its authenticity, like that of so many relics, depends more on faith than on evidence.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (68 replies).
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