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Date: | Mon, 22 Jan 2001 05:40:28 -0700 |
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To all,
Just wanted to say a few words in defense of dowsing. I have used it
within the past few years (4-5) both in Wyoming and in Europe and have
found it to be a relatively effective means of detecting underground
disturbance. In both locations we were interested in locating
foundations or wells that we knew from documentary sources were somewhere
in the area. I don't have enough experience with it myself
to even begin to claim to know the nature of the various disturbances- but
that didn't matter, as the dowsing rods simply helped us focus in on a
smaller area that we then investigated with more conventional means-
shovel testing, etc. In both cases, the information provided by the
dowsing rods did indicate the correct location in which to dig and in so
doing saved a significant amount of time and effort.
I can't certify these examples as "scientific" proof that dowsing works
(though I will confirm that no spells were uttered and no pins other than
pin flags were stuck into anything)- it has just been one tool among many
that has helped to get the job done. In turn, while I most likely would
not make dowsing a required practice at all field schools, I do question
the opinions that villify so thoroughly.
Also, for the record, bent pin flags work well if no coat hangers are
available.
best wishes,
Marcy
__________________________
Marcy H. Rockman
Department of Anthropology
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona 85721
[log in to unmask]
** new fieldwork home **
Department of Archaeology
University of Southampton
Southampton SO17 1BJ
UK
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