The Golden Skull: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story

Two young companions join an archaeologist on an expedition from Manila into remote Ifugao highlands to locate a fabled golden skull. Their travel across islands and mountain roads involves hiring transport, negotiating with local intermediaries, and hauling scientific gear into difficult terrain. Along the way they encounter hostile pursuit, ambushes, village customs and moral uncertainty about whom to trust, while combining archaeological sleuthing, improvised engineering and daring escapes. The narrative balances fieldwork detail and adventure pacing as the team confronts escalating dangers and cultural complexities in pursuit of the artifact.