Farmers needed water for crops and livestock.
Travelers searched for fresh springs during long journeys.
Without water, survival was impossible.
Naturally, people developed many methods to locate underground sources. Among the oldest and most enduring was the use of forked branches.
Historical evidence suggests that dowsing has existed for hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of years. Ancient cave drawings discovered in parts of North Africa have been interpreted by some researchers as depicting people holding forked branches, although this interpretation remains debated.
Written accounts become much clearer during the Middle Ages.
By the 15th and 16th centuries, miners throughout Europe frequently carried forked sticks while searching for valuable mineral deposits.
Why a Simple Branch?
One reason the tool looks so ordinary is because it usually was.
Traditional dowsing rods weren’t manufactured in factories.
Instead, users selected fresh forked branches from certain trees.
Common choices included:
