the Reed as a Unit of Measurement
The reed is an ancient unit of length that has historical significance in various cultures, especially in Mesopotamia and Egypt. Typically, one reed is equal to 3 cubits, which translates to approximately 1.5 meters or 5 feet in modern measurements. The reed was often used in surveying land, measuring building materials, or determining distances in early architectural and agricultural planning. In ancient Babylon, the reed was part of a well-organized system of measurements that helped support large-scale construction and irrigation projects. Similarly, in Biblical texts, the reed is mentioned as a standard tool for measuring sacred structures like temples. Despite its historical importance, the reed has fallen out of use in the modern metric and imperial systems. However, it remains a fascinating example of how early civilizations developed practical ways to standardize measurement for daily and ceremonial life. Understanding such units gives us insight into the technological and social sophistication of ancient societies. Although obsolete today, the reed is a reminder of humanity’s long-standing pursuit of order and precision in the physical world.
Foot (US Survey)
The US survey foot is a unit of length used historically in the United States for land surveying and mapping. It is defined as exactly 1200/3937 meters, which is approximately 0.3048006096 meters. This makes it very slightly longer than the international foot, which is exactly 0.3048 meters.
The US survey foot was established to maintain consistency with earlier land surveys and legal descriptions in the U.S. It was used extensively in the Public Land Survey System and other cadastral surveys.
Key points:
1 US survey foot = 1200/3937 meters ≈ 0.3048006096 meters
Slightly longer than the international foot by about 0.0006 millimeters
Used primarily in land surveying and legal documents
As of recent years, the US has been phasing out the US survey foot in favor of the international foot for standardization.
Though nearly identical to the international foot, the US survey foot remains important for understanding older land records and measurements.
No conversions available for length.