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
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Department of Archaeology
University of Southampton
Southampton SO17 1BJ
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