A Short History on Land Surveying

Land surveying is one of the the oldest professions anywhere. After any two individuals own property on opposite sides of a line – land surveying is important.

Land surveying is fascinating. The strategy used aim to determine which section of land is owned by whom, hopefully ending arguments for good.

To put it briefly, surveying is really a process using mathematical methods for surveying land to determine its ownership.

The first accounts of surveying land extends back to ancient Egypt. Experts have discovered evidences that the ancient Egyptians used basic geometry to redraw the lines of boundary when the Nile River overflowed. An Egyptian land register going back 3000 BC was found.

Following the Egyptians, the Romans – also the most powerful civilizations within the ancient world – practiced land surveying. They took it a pace further and made “land surveyor” an official position inside the Empire. These folks called agrimensores, often called Corpus Agrimensorum Romanorum. Despite the fact they used rather simple tools, these people were very thorough with their jobs and would create straight lines and proper angles with the use of these tools. As soon as the lines were measured, they’d create shallow ditches to mark the lines. Actually, much of the furrows they made continue to exist today.

One of several recorded land surveying of the “modern” times belongs to William the Conqueror who wrote the Domesday Book in 1086. This book is really a menu of names of land owners, the amount of land they owned as well as other information about the land. While it was a substantial volume of information during this period, the pieces of information weren’t 100% correct. The locations just weren’t accurate and the maps were not made to scale.

Among history’s greatest icons have also been an ardent surveyor – Napoleon Bonaparte. The interest in surveying land was really just a product of his wish to conquer the earth. Napoleon Bonaparte founded a registry referred to as cadastre. This includes a registry of properties of a county, ownership details, locations and as much information concerning the land’s value. Yes, Napoleon Bonaparte can be regarded as a land surveyor – plus a very smart man.

The strategies put to use in land surveying also have evolved over the centuries, over time. Long ago, people would use whatever could help them determine the distance from one point to another. This implies using chains with links and even ropes. Not surprisingly, this didn’t give accurate results but they did not have the technology we now have.

Today, land surveyors possess the best technologies to assist them with their job. There is GPS, or Global Positioning System, which is quite possibly the most accurate technologies available today. Total stations are also crucial to a land surveyor, which employs the utilization of an EDM or Electronic Distance Measurement device together with a theodolite which enables for further precise angle and distance measurements.

author avatar
Surveyor

More Posts

Land surveyor conducting a residential survey in a Boston neighborhood using tripod equipment
boundary surveying
Surveyor

How to Prepare Your Property for a Residential Survey

If you own a home in Boston, you’ve probably heard the term residential survey at some point. Maybe you’re buying a new house, planning a fence, or thinking about an addition. Whatever the reason, a residential survey is your best way to know exactly where your property begins and ends.

Read More »
Aerial view of Boston and the Charles River showcasing the perspective used in drone surveying projects
land surveying
Surveyor

Drone Surveying: A Guide for Property Owners

Boston is a city full of character — from historic brownstones in Beacon Hill to new buildings along the Seaport. If you’re planning a renovation, managing a construction site, or mapping land for development, you need accurate information. That’s where drone surveying comes in. Instead of only using ground crews

Read More »
Topographic survey equipment set up on a Boston construction site with excavators in the background
land surveying
Surveyor

Why You Might Need a Topographic Survey for Your Property

If you’re planning to build or make changes to your land, getting a topographic survey could save you a lot of trouble — and money. Whether you’re working on a new home in Roslindale, planning a renovation in East Boston, or developing property near the water in the Seaport District,

Read More »
Row of historic brick homes in Boston where narrow property lines may require boundary surveys
boundary surveying
Surveyor

Is a Boundary Survey Really Necessary?

If you’re facing a neighbor dispute, planning to install a fence, or getting ready to buy or sell property, getting a boundary survey in Boston, MA might be one of the smartest decisions you make. In dense neighborhoods like Dorchester, Roxbury, or Brighton — where homes sit close together —

Read More »

Why You Need a Land Surveyor Before Buying Property

Buying property in Massachusetts is a big step, whether you’re purchasing a home in the city or land in the countryside. Before completing the purchase, it’s important to work with a land surveyor in Massachusetts you can trust. A professional survey ensures you understand the exact size, shape, and legal

Read More »