Land surveying is an essential component of real estate development because of the precise measurements it provides. However, land surveying is far from a modern invention. It’s been crucial to the growth of cities and civilizations over thousands of years. Here’s a quick overview of how this craft has developed over history.

Land Surveying Through History

Surveying in Ancient Times

Although the practice of surveying land may have started earlier, we do know that it was in practice as far back as 1,400 B.C. Some of the tools used by modern surveyors, such as plumb bobs and measuring ropes, were used to calculate land features by ancient Egyptians more than 4 thousand years ago. They called their surveyors “harpedonaptae,” which translates to “rope stretchers.”  

Further advancements gradually improved the accuracy and precision of surveying measurements. The magnetic compass was invented in China between 221 and 206 B.C., and it has been an essential surveying tool ever since.

The Beginning of Modern Surveying

In the 11th century, the English king William the Conqueror determined that it would be a good idea to begin recording land ownership. In 1086, the Domesday Book was compiled to keep track of landholding in England. The data recorded included the owner of each plot of land, the land’s size, and the characteristics each piece of land possessed. Unlike modern-day land surveying, this record-keeping project didn’t use maps to pinpoint the locations of each plot of land.

Land Surveying in the Modern World

Today’s land surveyors still use the theodolite, a precision optical instrument invented in 1571 by Joshua Habermel. Although it has been improved upon over the generations, the tool still maps and measures property much in the same way it did in the 16th century. Now that surveyors can scan land digitally and use GPS services, they can work much more efficiently, but the core tools and tasks involved in this industry have been in place for many years. 

If you require land surveying services to resolve a property dispute or prepare for a home purchase, get in touch with Flynn & CYR Land Surveying. They pride themselves on being able to provide a personalized level of service to every customer. Located in New Britain, CT, the surveying company services the Kensington and Berlin areas. They have more than 18 years of experience, and they’re licensed by the state of Connecticut. To learn more, you can visit their website or call them at (860) 828-7886.