Talk of psychics conjures up images of mad old ladies conducting séances and bringing forth spirits made of cheese cloth, but last night at the Petrie Museum, Dr Amara Thornton (UCL Institute of Archaeology) took us through evidence for psychical involvement in archaeological investigations.

Principally, she concentrated on the life of one woman, Agnes Conway, who in the early 20^th century was responsible for a series of archaeological investigations of Petra in Jordan. As well as being a respected archaeologist, Conway was also a member of the Society for Psychical Research (SPR), a group that was involved in the scientific exploration of unexplained phenomena.

The society was comprised of some of the country’s leading figures in archaeology and edited two journals, one of which was available to members of the public and one, full of less ‘firm’ and more controversial results, that was for members only.

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