You may notice changes to this website as we work to make it easier to use.

This is a warning - find out more.

Historical surveying processes

Geodetic datum

Learn about the coordinate reference system used to describe geographic positions.

Measuring distances

Read about historical surveying distance measuring tools.

Measuring height

Read about tools that early explorers and surveyors used to measure the height of land.

Measuring angles

Read about surveying angle measuring tools.

Tools used for calculations

Find out about historical surveying calculating tools.