Because things change so quickly, it’s simple to lose touch with the past. The stories and things that belonged to our ancestors often hide secrets and shock us.
I felt amazed when my grandmother told me stories about her childhood and showed me strange things. This sense of nostalgia is what makes “what’s this?” stories so popular online, where people try to figure out what strange things they see are.
A new example has confused a lot of people. The tool looks like a worn-down tree branch at first glance. But its history goes back to the 1500s and the technique of water dowsing, which is very old.
People used this simple tool, which was called a water dowser, diviner, or well witch, to find water sources. Surprisingly, it was easy to use. With one hand on a V-shaped branch, tilt the stem toward the ground and walk back and forth.
People looked for movements at the base of the V, which would mean there was water below the surface. This method came from metal-finding ways used in the 1600s.
Water dowsing helped people in rural places find water. Some people question how useful the tool is, but its historical value makes it important.
We can learn from the story of the water dowser about how clever our ancestors were. By digging up the past, we get in touch with our roots and enjoy how simple things were in the past.
Did you know about this mysterious instrument? Say what you think.
This old tool has a special place in history, and its tale is just ready to be found again. Join the discussion to find more interesting things from the past.
