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Barry Lewis / Alamy Stock Photo

By Julia Brown

“DOWSING achieves new credence” ran a headline in the 8 February 1979 edition of New Scientist. The art of dowsing, or water divining, dates from at least the 16th century. It involves holding a forked twig, traditionally of hazel, and walking up and down until the twig dips sharply in the hands. This only happens, it is said, when areas rich in minerals or with fast-flowing water lie just beneath the surface.

Our article reported results from two Soviet geologists who found dowsing “extremely useful in pinpointing several metal ore deposits”. …

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