Cyprus Survey Centenary Lord Herbert Horatio Kitchener, "Cyprus 1974" Wood Engraving, International Anniversaries and Events, Republic of Cyprus

Cyprus Survey Centenary Lord Herbert Horatio Kitchener, "Cyprus 1974" Wood Engraving, International Anniversaries and Events, Republic of Cyprus

Postage stamps--Cyprus--History

Γραμματόσημα--Κύπρος--Ιστορία

Lieutenant Herbert Horatio Kitchener of the Royal Engineers arrived at Larnaca on September 13th 1878 with instructions from the Foreign Office in London to carry out a thorough triangulated survey of the Island on a scientific basis. This however was contrary to the needs of Sir Garnet Wolseley, the High Commissioner who actually required a quick and rough survey of the taxable land for revenue purposes only. Inspite of this apparent disagreement, Lt. Kitchener set to work on the first triangulation survey in November muleteers and interpreters. He began by marking a four-mile baseline at the village of Kaimakli and used a 100-foot chain to measure distances and make detailed observation notes. From makeshift camps they would survey all the area within a ten-mile radius before moving on to the next area. To mark the triangles accurately on the charts, he used a theodolite to measure distances and angles, and marking the points of the triangles by a cairn of stones 6 to 10 feet high for easy visibility. The whole Island was linked by 137 measured triangles but the work was left unfinished when he applied for a transfer and left the Island in May 1879. At the request of Sir Robert Biddulph who succeeded Wolseley as High Commissioner he returned in 1880 and was appointed Surveyor and Director of Lands and Surveys. In his new capacity, he began a more in-depth mapping of the Island which proved quite a challenge due to the difficult terrains in the south west and the lack of proper roads. He and his team covered some 3000 square miles and by 1885 a beautiful map on a scale of one inch to one mile, engraved on 16 copper plates was published under Kitchener’s name. The first fully triangulated survey and mapping of Cyprus became very important as roads and tracks were delineated, communication routes more easily determined, and the noting of ancient sites and antiquities provided an unequalled base for historians and archaeologists to conduct their studies.

Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus

Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία

Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus

Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία

Library of Cyprus University of Technology

Digital Heritage Research Lab of Cyprus University of Technology

1st October 1979

Designer: A. A. Ioannides, M. Kalathia(25 mils)

Απαγορεύεται η δημοσίευση ή αναπαραγωγή, ηλεκτρονική ή άλλη χωρίς τη γραπτή συγκατάθεση του δημιουργού.

www.cypruspost.gov.cy

TIFF

EL, EN

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1979-INT. ANN.+EVENTS-50

35.160417, 33.346556

Harrison & Sons Ltd, England