| An intricately
designed brass instrument consists of a mounting plate and a staff
socket connected by a universal ball joint, decorative setscrews,
and a brass sight. These are all elements of a transit or circumferter
that would have also included a compass and set atop a tripod stand
for surveying. Its purpose was mapping land and roads. Although it
is possible that the instrument was used for navigating coastal shorelines,
it was more likely to be used for terrestrial surveying and thus was
part of the cargo or personal possessions. |
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