With the rapid pace of change and fleeting trends, it’s no surprise that as we grow older, the world can feel unfamiliar. It’s not just the major shifts but also the subtle changes that unfold over decades. My grandmother, God rest her soul, often reminisced about the habits and routines of her youth, just as she delighted in showing us peculiar objects and trinkets that no one else in the family recognized.
I can only imagine that if I’m fortunate enough to live as long as she did, I’ll find myself doing the same.
Perhaps that’s why “What’s this?” posts have become so popular online. These are the intriguing photos people upload in hopes of identifying a mysterious object from the past and uncovering its original purpose.
Recently, one such image has been making the rounds, stumping many as they attempt to determine what the tool is and how it was used.
I’ll admit, when I first saw the picture, I had no clue what it was.
Fortunately, some people did.
At first glance, it appears to be nothing more than an ordinary, V-shaped tree branch—plain and unremarkable. Yet, its history as a tool dates back to the 1500s, tied to an ancient practice known as **water dowsing**.
Also called a **diviner, doodlebug, well witch,** or **water-finder**, this tool was traditionally used to locate underground water sources.
The method involved holding both ends of the stick, palms facing upward, while tilting the bottom of the V-shape toward the ground at a 45-degree angle. The dowser would then walk back and forth, waiting for subtle movements or vibrations that supposedly signaled the presence of water beneath the earth.
Interestingly, dowsing was initially used in the 1500s to locate metal deposits, but over time, people adapted the technique to help rural homeowners find water for wells.
Curious to see water dowsing in action? Watch the video below!
Did you know what this tool was used for? Let us know in the comments!
