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

Surveyor using tripod equipment in a residential neighborhood to prepare an elevation certificate
flood damage
Surveyor

Why an Elevation Certificate Matters Before the Next Storm

When flood warnings go out across Knoxville, many homeowners start asking one important question: Is my house really safe from rising water? The clearest answer often comes from an elevation certificate. This document, prepared by a licensed surveyor, shows how your property sits compared to known flood levels. With it,

Read More »
Licensed land surveyor conducting a boundary line survey with professional equipment on a residential property
boundary surveying
Surveyor

Boundary Line Survey Errors Causing Costly Disputes

If you own property or plan to buy land, you’ve probably heard about the recent clash involving a boundary line survey gone wrong. This issue has caused quite a stir among local homeowners, leaving many confused and frustrated. But what exactly is a boundary line survey, and why do mistakes

Read More »
Ongoing riverfront construction project with crane and bridge work showing the need for construction surveys
construction
Surveyor

River Expansion Spurs Urgent Construction Surveys

The Tennessee River in Chattanooga is getting bigger. The city has started a river expansion project to help prevent flooding and make the waterfront safer for everyone. With this new construction, there is an urgent need for construction surveys along the river. Surveyors are working fast to map the land,

Read More »
Surveyor using a total station to conduct a boundary survey on a residential property
boundary surveying
Surveyor

Why a Boundary Survey Takes Longer & How to Speed It Up

If you’ve ever scheduled a boundary survey, you might have thought the process would only take a few days. After all, how long could it really take to mark property lines? But many homeowners, real estate buyers, and contractors find themselves waiting weeks, sometimes longer. This delay isn’t about laziness—it

Read More »
Surveyor conducting a due diligence survey on a construction site to protect investments
alta survey
Surveyor

Due Diligence Survey: Protecting Multi-Million Projects

When Knoxville city leaders pressed pause on the proposed redevelopment of Chilhowee Park, it wasn’t just politics at play. Concerns about flooding, land use, and infrastructure came front and center. For projects this size, one tool can make or break the outcome—a due diligence survey. This type of survey digs

Read More »
Two construction surveyors using a total station and reviewing plans on an urban construction site, demonstrating advanced construction surveying techniques.
construction
Surveyor

How Construction Surveying Keeps Builds On Time

If you’re following big projects in Chattanooga, you’ve probably heard about Erlanger Park. But did you know that construction surveying is one of the biggest reasons this project can stay on track? It’s not just about measuring land it’s about making sure every single part of the build fits just

Read More »