Epact Scientific Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Europe

Menu
 Catalogue
345 of 520
Sorted by:


Level
Signed by Erasmus Habermel
Late 16th century; German
Gilt brass and wood; 552 mm in length

The survival of a surveyor's level from the 16th century is very rare. This example works by part filling the V-shaped trough with water and, when the inclination of the trough has been adjusted by the action of the cranked handle so that the readings on two short vertical scales at either end are the same, sighting through the instrument gives the surveyor the level.

The survival of an original tripod is also very unusual. The instrument can be taken off its mount and the wooden legs of the tripod folded to a circular section and clamped by two brass rings, so as to be easy to carry.

The construction of this instrument is hardly in keeping with the robust character usually demanded of a surveyor's level.

Museum of the History of Science, Oxford
Inventory number 47897

© Museum of the History of Science, Oxford. All rights reserved. Information and images provided here may not be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the museum.

Basic URL: http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/epact/catalogue.php?ENumber=34574