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 open land showing natural slopes and elevation changes, the kind of terrain a topo survey evaluates during early stadium site planning
land surveying
Surveyor

Why a Topo Survey Could Decide the Next Stadium Site

Kansas City is buzzing again. A new poll shows rising support for moving the Royals to a new suburban stadium, and the debate is heating up fast. People are talking about traffic, parking, money, and tradition. But behind all the noise, one quiet factor could guide the entire decision: the

Read More »
A narrow strip of yard between two houses with a fence showing how a property survey can clarify the true boundary line
boundary surveying
Surveyor

How a Property Survey Could Have Stopped a Court Battle

Most people don’t expect a small strip of grass to send them to court. Yet that’s exactly what happened in West Peoria, Illinois. Two neighbors spent seven years fighting over who owned a 100-foot by 188-foot patch of land. The whole conflict could have ended early if someone ordered a

Read More »
A land surveyor using a tripod and optical equipment at sunset while conducting an ALTA Land Title Survey under a glowing sky
alta survey
Surveyor

When Solar Storms Threaten Your ALTA Land Title Survey

When you order an ALTA Land Title Survey, you expect precision—every inch of boundary, easement, and improvement mapped exactly where it belongs. In Kansas City, developers, lenders, and property buyers rely on this survey to confirm that what’s on paper matches what’s on the ground. But this week, surveyors across

Read More »
Aerial view of wetlands captured through drone surveying to show water patterns and elevation changes
land surveying
Surveyor

Drone Surveying Solves Hidden Wetland Mapping Challenges

When you think about drone surveying, you might picture maps, big construction sites, or new housing projects. But this week, researchers at the University of Missouri showed something surprising — drones can count ducks. Their new study used artificial intelligence (AI) to track thousands of waterfowl across Missouri wetlands. That

Read More »
Licensed land surveyor using a total station at an urban construction site to ensure precise building alignment
land surveyor
Surveyor

How a Licensed Land Surveyor Prevents Construction Chaos

Kansas City is celebrating again. The Main Street Streetcar Extension, which opened on October 24, 2025, now runs all the way from downtown to UMKC. With eight new stops and bright red transit-only lanes, Main Street looks completely different. But behind the smooth new ride stands an unsung professional who

Read More »
Two land surveyors using a total station on a construction site representing boundary survey delays in real estate
boundary surveying
Surveyor

Boundary Survey Delays Are Killing Real Estate Deals

If you’ve ever waited weeks for your home closing and felt like the surveyor disappeared, you’re not alone. Many buyers, sellers, and real estate agents are asking the same question: “What’s taking so long with the boundary survey?” A boundary survey might sound like a small step, but it can

Read More »