Boundary marker
A boundary marker, border marker, boundary stone, or border stone is a robust physical marker that identifies the start of a land boundary or the change in a boundary, especially a change in direction of a boundary.[1] There are several other types of named border markers, known as boundary trees,[2][3] pillars, monuments, obelisks, and corners.[1] Border markers can also be markers through which a border line runs in a straight line to determine that border.[1] They can also be the markers from which a border marker has been fixed.[1]
"Boundary stones" redirects here. For the monoliths in Ukraine, see Boundary Stones (Ukraine).Purpose[edit]
According to Josiah Ober, boundary markers are "a way of imposing human, cultural, social meanings upon a once-undifferentiated natural environment." Boundary markers are linked to social hierarchies, since they derive their meaning from the authority of a person or group to declare the limits of a given space of land for political, social or religious reasons. Ober notes that "determining who can use parcels of arable land and for what purpose, has immediate and obvious economic implications."[4]
Many borders were drawn along invisible lines of latitude or longitude, which often created a need to mark these borders on the ground, as accurately as possible, using the technology of the day.[1] Advances in GPS technology have shown that there are many borders inaccurately marked on the ground.[1]
Boundary markers have often been used to mark critical points on political boundaries, i.e. those between countries, states or local administrations, but have also been used to mark out the limits of private landholdings, especially in areas where fences or walls are impractical or unnecessary.
Boundary markers are integral to boundary law in the United States, both in the original colonial states and those added later during westward expansion (otherwise known as the Public Land Survey System[5]). Man-made boundary markers, or monuments, are considered to be second-highest in the Order of Evidence in boundary law in the United States, behind only natural markers such as boulders and rivers.[6] Boundary markers also have legal meaning in Japan, and are generally installed across the country.[7] Markers are still used extensively for marking international borders, which are traditionally classified into two categories: natural boundaries, correlating to topographical features such as rivers or mountain ranges, and artificial boundaries, which have no obvious relation to topography. The latter category includes borders defined by boundary markers such as stones and walls.[8] International boundary markers are placed and can be maintained by mutual agreement of the bordering countries.
Construction[edit]
Boundary markers, traditionally, were often made of stone, but later many have been made with concrete or a mixture of materials.[9] They are typically placed at a notable or especially visible point. Many are inscribed with relevant information such as the abbreviation of the boundary holder and often a date.[1]
![Border stone at Passo San Giacomo between Val Formazza in Italy and Val Bedretto [it] in Switzerland](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/Border_stone.JPG/120px-Border_stone.JPG)
French-Swiss border boundary marker.
Boundary stone of the original District of Columbia set in 1792 marking the boundary between Washington, D.C., and Maryland in the United States.
German forest boundary stone set up in 1754; it marks one end of a line of 65 boundary stones between the Hanoverian state forest and the woods held in common by local villages. The border was marked in 1750 by order of George II of Great Britain who was also Elector of Hanover at that time.
Boundary marker (also banishing pole) in Schardam, the Netherlands, showing the coat of arms of Hoorn.
Modern boundary marker on the 49th parallel north designating the border between the United States and Canada.
Finland–Russia border markers: a white marker for the actual border, "guarded" by striped bollards, marked with a coat of arms, maintained by each state.
The border between Baarle-Hertog (Belgium) and Baarle-Nassau (Netherlands) is on this place marked on the ground.
Border stone in China, foreground right, with Russian border marker to its left in background, striped red and green. The large gate is entirely in Russian territory.
Border stones in Japan, marking Gifu (left) and Shiga (right) prefectures
City boundary marker between Sumedang Regency and Bandung Regency, located in Indonesia. Photo was taken from Sumedang side.
City boundary marker between Bandung City and Cimahi City, Indonesia, as a result of former's enlargement by the government regulation changes in 1987. Photo was taken from Bandung side.
Finnish border marker in the immigration hall of Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Notable for its castors and thus a somewhat unique mobile boundary marker.
