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Artefact gallery

Angular measurement instruments

A critical component to the surveying process is the measurement of angles. Initially compasses assisted surveyors to define their direction, putting the survey on a magnetic meridian. Theodolites were developed to allow more accurate measurement of angles both in the horizontal and vertical plane.

  • Large compass with sighting veins
  • Boxed compass used to indicate the direction of an object relative to the magnetic pole
  • Compass used to measure the slope from the horizontal of the bedding of rocks
  • Surveying instrument used for measuring horizontal and vertical angles
  • Compass theodolite
  • Surveying instrument with a horizontal circle diameter of 12 inches
  • Theodolite circa 1880s measures both horizontal and vertical angles to a high degree of accuracy
  • Theodolite used by the Japanese during World War Two for the construction of air strips
  • Small theodolite manufactured by KERN
  • Optical microptic theodolite that divides up a circle to increase accuracy of reading
  • Surveying instrument that has the telescope and spirit level supported on two Y-shaped mounts

In this guide:

  1. Distance measurement instruments
  2. Drafting and mapping instruments
  3. Angular measurement instruments
  4. Heighting instruments
  5. Surveying accessories
  6. Astronomical observing instruments and timekeeping
  7. Artefact gallery
  8. Photographic equipment
  9. Calculations

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Last updated:
13 March 2018
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