The Roman Survey of Britain

Did the Romans survey the lands that they conquered? This study puts forward evidence in support of the idea that geometric patterns can be discerned in the angles of road alignments and the position of forts and towns to suggest that the Romans surveyed Britain shortly after the invasion. With lots of maps and diagrams, Ferrar and Richardson combine cartography, history and mathematics to argue for the use of surveying and centuration in Britain, going on to suggest how and why this was carried out. Detailed examinations of the geometric landscape of The Mickle Ditch in Manchester, and of the Antonine and Hadrian's Wall are included.