HOUSTON -- Since the 1970s, it's been a mystery right here in Houston. People from all over the world want to see it, touch it and just be near it. Is it an encoded message waiting to be unlocked or just a rock? News2Houston explored the secrets of Max, the Texas crystal skull

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See Max The Skull

"The crystal skull contains important information about the purpose of destiny and history of mankind," said JoAnn Parks, Keeper of Max the Skull.

Native-American legend said that there are 13 of these ancient crystal skulls.

"And one day all of these skulls will be rediscovered and they will be brought together for all of their collective wisdom to be made available. But mankind first has to be sufficiently evolved both morally and spiritually so as not to abuse the power," Parks said.

It is not possible to date crystal quartz, so experts cannot tell how old the skull is. But British museum researchers found no tool marks, which means this skull must have been shaped by hand.

So how did a priceless crystal skull that experts believe to be thousands of years old wind up in the hands of a housewife in south Houston?

"I didn't ask for it, didn't want it. (I) never heard of crystal skulls," Parks said.

The story goes like this. The skull was discovered in Guatemala, where native Indians gave it to an American Tibetan healer named Norbu Chin.

Norbu, a former American spy turned Red Hat llama, came to Houston in the 70s to open a healing center.

Parks' daughter was suffering from bone cancer so Parks brought her to the healing center.

"The doctors had given her three months to live with really no hope for survival," Parks said. "So I took her there. And I just say between the skull's work, the llama's work, the other monks' work, they did extend her life three years."

Parks worked for the center until Norbu died seven years later.

"Right before he died, his parting words were, 'Take care of this. And one of these days you will know what it is for and what it is about,'" Parks said.

Parks did not know what to do, so she put it in a box in her closet until she saw a television show in 1987 about crystal skulls.

She contacted the show's producers, but they had no real answers for her.

"So I brought the rock back home and I opened up the box and said, 'Well, one of these days, skull, we'll find the man.' And then I could feel this feeling. It is something I can't explain. It's an intuitive thing. I could feel him saying, 'By the way, my name is not skull. My name is Max. I will be remembered. I thought, 'Oh God, now I got a rock in a box in the closet. Now he said his name is Max," Parks said.

Parks eventually met Nick Nocerino, another skull owner, and then word got out.

"It got out that I had one of these crystal skulls of legend and people started calling me," Parks said.

Since the day that Parks says Max named himself, she has been traveling with him all over the world.

"Movie stars to rock stars to gurus, shamans, lawyers, doctors, politicians, people you wouldn't even believe that are on the spiritual path feel yearning and awakening deep inside and they want to sit with this ancient masterpiece," Parks said.

The reaction from people who come to see Max is as different as the hands that touch him.

"I felt very balanced. It is a very warm feeling," said Stephanie Fuentes, who touched the skull. "And when I leave after the Max experience, I feel as if there is nothing that can knock me down for the day."

"Something that vibrates from deep inside you towards everybody that is around it," said Lourdes Salas, who touched the skull.

Everyone said that they gain something different.

"I feel that the skull holds something. (Some) type of information that could be helpful and that's why I came today," said Gary Ausgen, who touched the skull.

"When we go up to the crystal skull and touch it, we can feel that energy," said Lou Guitierez, who touched the skull.

But followers said that they are not worshiping the skull.

"We do not pray to the skull no more then we pray to the flag. It is about the respect of the object which it is," said another follower.

"People, when they come in its presence, they feel a connection not only to themselves but to the ancient past," said another follower.

"I just say mainly, 'I am on an adventure with Max. I am just along for the ride,'" Parks said.

Parks pays her own travel expenses, but said that she does charge a speaker's fee.

More Information:

• Crystal Skull Society's Web Site