And the men went and passed through the land, and described it by cities into seven parts in a book, and came again to Joshua to the host at Shiloh. (Joshua 18:9)
Besides the written description of the leading features of the country, the men probably drew sketches of the territory on maps. The statement implies that a geographical survey according to the cities was made and recorded. This is perhaps the earliest instance of land surveying on record. The art may have been learned from the Egyptians, who are known to have been good surveyors.