Ever since humans began building cities and towns, they’ve needed a way to establish clear boundary lines between one property and another. Over the centuries, various civilizations have developed a variety of surveying techniques to prevent property disputes and plan new developments. Here is an overview of the fascinating history of land surveying.

Land Surveys in Ancient Egypt

While the information known about ancient Egyptian surveyors is limited, their work was extremely accurate, allowing builders to construct the pyramids and other architectural marvels that still stand today. Based on hieroglyphs and ancient texts, historians know that Egyptian surveyors in 1400 B.C. used rope to measure the boundaries between properties, tying knots at specific intervals to mark the locations of important features. They also employed weights suspended from a string and other leveling tools to measure the height of vertical distances.

The Ancient Greeks & Geometry

In 120 B.C., the ancient Greeks made remarkable developments that allowed them to create extremely precise land surveys. Geometry gave them the mathematical knowledge to develop the diopter, a tool that’s comparable to the theodolite that surveyors use today. The diopter consisted of a cogwheel and a water level apparatus, which could measure both the positions of stars and geographical features.

Surveying in the Modern World

In addition to the theodolite, which measures horizontal and vertical angles, modern surveyors use a variety of cutting-edge technologies to map properties down to the millimeter. GPS technology is capable of giving a precise location almost anywhere on earth, while aerial photography provides a bird’s-eye view of geographical features, bodies of water, and other vital information. Surveyors use this data to create detailed maps of potential building sites, establish boundary lines, and plan public improvement projects.

Since 1996, Hart-Frederick Consultants PC has helped businesses, governments, and private individuals throughout Johnson County, IA, keep their projects on time and under budget. Their surveyors use only the most advanced technology in the industry to provide prompt, accurate information on almost any type of project. Visit their website to learn more about their surveying services, follow their Facebook page for more tips and advice, or call (319) 545-7215 to request a quote today.