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Scole Experiment
For five years, a group held séances that produced remarkable phenomena: lights, objects materializing, messages on film, and alleged communication with the dead. Scientists from the SPR investigated and couldn't explain what they witnessed.
1993 - 1998
Scole, Norfolk, England
500+ witnesses
The Scole Experiment was a five-year investigation into alleged spirit communication with remarkable phenomena.
The Experiment
From 1993-1998:
According to documented accounts:
- The Scole Experimental Group
- Held regular séances
- In a cellar in Norfolk
- Produced extraordinary phenomena
- Witnessed by scientists
The Phenomena
Witnesses reported:
- Lights flying around the room
- Objects materializing
- Messages appearing on sealed film
- Hands touching sitters
- Voices from the spirits
The Investigation
The Society for Psychical Research:
- Sent investigators
- Over multiple sessions
- Could not explain phenomena
- Published a report
- Remained cautiously open
The Film Evidence
Most remarkable:
- Sealed film rolls
- Placed in locked container
- Developed to show images
- Faces and messages
- No conventional explanation
The Controls
Critics noted:
- Darkness required
- Group could have cheated
- But investigators tried controls
- Some phenomena still occurred
- Debate continues
The End
The experiment ended when:
- “Spirits” said to stop
- Equipment allegedly sabotaged
- By other entities
- 1998 final session
- Never resumed