ABSTRACT
The science of surveying, and the status of the surveyor, have been differently perceived at different times. In the ancient world (Lewis, 2001) the aspects of surveying, engineering, astronomy and astrology were closely linked, and the practitioners of these sciences were of high status – some achieved a renown which has come down to the present day, such as Hero of Alexandria and Archimedes. Closer to our own time, when surveying as we know it was beginning to take shape, a good grasp of surveying was seen as essential to the gentleman, landowner and soldier. Peacham (1634, p.77) offered this summary of the uses of geometry:
But in briefe the use you shall have of Geometry, will be in survaying your lands, affoording your opinion in building anew, or translating; making your milles aswell for grinding of corne as throwing foorth water from your lower grounds, bringing water farre off for sundry uses; Seeing the measure of Timber, stone and the like (wherein Gentlemen many times are egregiously abused and cheated by such as they trust) . . . you cannot without Geometry fortifie your selfe, take the advantage of hill or levell, . . . order your Battallia . . . [or] plant your Ordnance.
