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

Aerial view of an industrial park showing property boundaries and infrastructure, illustrating the importance of an ALTA Survey for accurate development planning.
alta survey
Surveyor

Why an ALTA Survey Is Step One for New Projects

When news broke that the U.S. Space Command headquarters is finally moving to Redstone Arsenal, Madison and Huntsville leaders called it a win for the region. Over the next several years, thousands of jobs, federal contracts, and new construction projects will follow. Excitement is high, but before any developer puts

Read More »
Aerial view of downtown Mobile showing new developments and buildings highlighting the need for ALTA land title surveys
alta survey
Surveyor

Why ALTA Land Title Surveys Are in High Demand

Mobile is growing fast. New homes, apartments, shopping centers, and office buildings are popping up everywhere. With all this growth, one thing is becoming very important: ALTA land title surveys. If you aren’t familiar, an ALTA survey is a type of property survey. It does more than just mark the

Read More »
Licensed land surveyor conducting a boundary line survey in front of a new home in Daphne
boundary surveying
Surveyor

Boundary Line Survey Risks for Homebuyers

Buying a home is exciting. You imagine cozy porches, quiet streets, and a safe investment for your family. But one small mistake can turn that dream into a nightmare: ignoring a boundary line survey. Even a tiny error in property lines can cost thousands in legal fees, delay closings, or

Read More »
Construction workers overseeing business park development in Chelsea during site survey and building progress.
land surveying
Surveyor

How Construction Surveys Keep Housing and Business Projects on Track

Chelsea is growing fast. If you’ve driven around lately, you’ve probably seen new neighborhoods, a business park, and even a hotel going up. Behind all this growth is one key step: a construction surveys. This survey lays the groundwork for smooth projects and keeps everything on track from start to

Read More »
Overhead view of heavy traffic congestion showing complex vehicle flow, illustrating the traffic challenges Huntsville traffic engineers are tackling.
civil engineering
Surveyor

How Traffic Engineer Fix Construction Chaos

Let’s be real, driving through Huntsville these days feels like a puzzle. Cones, detours, slowdowns… it’s a lot. But there’s a reason behind the chaos. A traffic engineer is working hard to keep the city moving. From smart lights to overpasses to speed changes, real improvements are happening. If you’re

Read More »
Female civil engineering professional in safety gear assessing a construction site with excavation equipment in the background
civil engineering
Surveyor

When Your Lot Isn’t Ready, Civil Engineering Makes It Happen

You’ve found the perfect piece of land in Birmingham. Maybe it’s a quiet lot in Crestwood, a hillside view near Red Mountain, or a wide-open space outside the city limits. You can already picture what will stand there a dream home, a new office, or the next big development. But

Read More »