mittanaulat

Mittanaulat is a Finnish term that translates to "measuring nails" or "marking nails." Historically, these were small, often iron, nails or spikes used by surveyors and land dividers in Finland to mark property boundaries. When a piece of land was divided or surveyed, a mittanaula would be driven into the ground at a specific point to serve as a permanent marker. These nails helped to clearly define where one property ended and another began, preventing disputes and facilitating land management.

The exact appearance and size of mittanaulat could vary, but they were typically robust enough to remain in place for long periods, enduring various weather conditions. They were an essential tool in traditional land surveying practices before the widespread adoption of more modern techniques and materials like concrete markers. The presence of mittanaulat on old properties can still indicate historical boundary points, and in some cases, they are considered historical artifacts related to Finnish land ownership and surveying history. Their simplicity belies their significant role in establishing and maintaining clear land divisions.