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

Residential home with a gently sloped yard and contour lines showing elevation changes measured in a topographic survey
land surveying
Surveyor

Topographic Survey: The 12 Inches That Decide Flooding

Flood Safety Week always brings the same warning: pay attention to rising water. In Bowling Green, that usually means watching the Barren River, checking weather alerts, and thinking about floodplains. However, most flooding problems don’t start at the river. They start in your yard. In fact, the difference between staying

Read More »
Land surveyors working on site as property owners search for survey companies near me during local development
land surveying
Surveyor

Why Property Owners Search “Survey Companies Near Me”

Bowling Green is growing fast. New road projects, traffic updates, and city improvement plans are becoming common topics. Because of this growth, homeowners, builders, and land buyers are paying closer attention to their property. At the same time, more people are typing survey companies near me into Google. This is

Read More »
Licensed surveyor performing an ALTA land survey at an active industrial construction site
alta survey
Surveyor

Why Industrial Growth Is Raising ALTA Land Survey Needs

Bowling Green is growing fast. New warehouses, factories, and shipping centers keep opening across the area. Because of this growth, more commercial land deals now move quickly. However, faster deals also bring more risk. Buyers and lenders no longer feel safe using only old maps or simple land records. That

Read More »
Drone land surveying used by a licensed surveyor to capture accurate aerial site data for planning and development
land surveying
Surveyor

How Drone Land Surveying Is Changing Surveying Services

Drone land surveying is no longer a “nice-to-have” service. In 2026, it is shaping what surveying companies can deliver, how fast they work, and what clients expect from them. Property owners, developers, and builders now want more than a basic map. They want clearer insight, fewer delays, and better decisions

Read More »
Licensed land surveyor measuring home elevation for a FEMA elevation certificate
flood damage
Surveyor

How to Get a FEMA Elevation Certificate: Step-by-Step Guide

If your lender, insurance agent, or builder recently told you that you need a FEMA elevation certificate, you may feel confused or stressed. Many homeowners in Bowling Green find themselves in this situation without much warning. One moment everything seems ready, and the next, a new document is holding things

Read More »
Homebuyers reviewing mortgage surveys and closing paperwork with a real estate advisor
boundary surveying
Surveyor

Do Mortgage Surveys Expire? The Real Answer Explained

If you’ve been confused about mortgage surveys, you’re not alone. A recent Reddit post went viral after a homeowner asked a simple question: Do mortgage surveys expire? Within hours, hundreds of people jumped in. Some insisted surveys never expire. Others said their lender rejected anything older than 30 days. Many

Read More »