Dowsing Archaeological Features;
An empirical study at Cressing Temple, Witham, Essex.
(TL799187).
Barry Hillman-Crouch. MSt PA, Dip FA, BSc, HND.
Written 1999. Published on the web July 2005.
1. Colin Peal (right) with author Barry Hillman-Crouch, Gill Hillman-Crouch
and Pat Peal. 1999.
Summary.
This dissertation records and comments upon an eight year dowsing exercise undertaken by retired civil engineer Colin Peal (Figure.1) at the scheduled ancient monument of Cressing Temple, Witham. His results are compared with a concomitant program of excavations and remote sensing surveys as well as the documented history of the site which dates back to 1137AD.
An open day was run in order to test the hypothesis that dowsing is a simple, repeatable process that anyone can undertake with guidance to trace archaeological features. Sixty two participants from all walks of life took part and only three were unable to get any reaction at all.
The conclusions state that dowsing can be used with some certainty to locate archaeological features, the reliability and repeatability of the readings being as good, if not better than other methods of remote sensing.
