{"id":1482,"date":"2022-01-25T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-25T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/how-to-spot-history-in-your-map\/"},"modified":"2025-11-05T10:42:27","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T10:42:27","slug":"how-to-spot-history-in-your-map","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/how-to-spot-history-in-your-map\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Spot History on a Map &#8211; Old OS Map Symbols"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t<header id=\"block_dd6703b74d2b3fb5f9c132987ee1be3d\" class=\"SingleHero skip-lazy default\">\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"SingleHero__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/map-reading\/\" class=\"category\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMap Reading\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/beginners-guides\/\" class=\"category\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBeginner&#8217;s guides\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/tag\/history\/\" class=\"category\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHistory\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"SingleHero__title\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow to Spot History on a Map &#8211; Old OS Map Symbols\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center align-items-center SingleHero__author\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Mary-Ann Ochota\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"SingleHero__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPublished on \t\t\t\t\t\t<time datetime=\"2022-01-25T00:00:00+00:00\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">January 25, 2022<\/time>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"dot\"><\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t7 min read\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"SingleHero__thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1742\" height=\"580\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/mary-ann-map-history-banner2.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"Mary-Ann Ochota\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/mary-ann-map-history-banner2.jpg 1742w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/mary-ann-map-history-banner2-300x100.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/mary-ann-map-history-banner2-1024x341.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/mary-ann-map-history-banner2-768x256.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/mary-ann-map-history-banner2-1536x511.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/mary-ann-map-history-banner2-1376x458.jpg 1376w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1742px) 100vw, 1742px\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/header>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t\t<article id=\"block_8bb333ad5e568b913eca63dd135a2f60\" class=\"Universal Universal--post c-small default pt-default pb-default mt-none mb-none    \" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"InnerBlocks\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lead\"><\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-guide-to-historic-os-map-symbols\">Guide to Historic OS Map Symbols<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>British broadcaster and anthropologist, Mary-Ann Ochota reveals some of the most common archaeological clues and old symbols you\u2019ll spot on a map. From church spires to tumuli, this guide will take your though old OS map symbols.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-old-map-symbols\">Old Map Symbols<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When you look at an Ordnance Survey map \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/explore.osmaps.com\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">online<\/a>, on the <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/apps\/os-maps-subscriptions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">OS Maps app<\/a>, or on an <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/maps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">OS paper map<\/a>, there are lots of symbols, each describing different features. Some of these can reveal the hidden history of a place and the more you understand the map symbols, the language of the map, the more it can tell you. You can even <a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/side-by-side-maps-historical-and-modern-britain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">compare them to old OS maps<\/a>, to see how long the symbols might have been there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-church-symbols\">Church Symbols<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Church symbols are fantastic to navigate by and you can find out a little bit about the type of church, like whether it has a tower or spire, by what\u2019s marked on the map. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<section>\n    <div class=\"container\">\n    \t<div class=\"row\">\n    \t\t<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/tower_symbol.png\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"church map symbol tower\"><\/figure><div class=\"columns five offset-one\">\n                \n\n\n\n            <\/div>\n    \t\t<div class=\"columns five\">\n                \n<p>This indicates the church has a tower. Saxons usually built wooden churches \u2013 if they did build any part in stone, it was the tower. These very old church towers are round. When the Normans arrived in 1066, they rebuilt many churches in stone \u2013 their towers are usually made of very thick stone, with tiny windows and rounded doorway arches. Later medieval churches have taller towers, or sometimes levels were built on top of earlier, shorter towers.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section>\n    <div class=\"container\">\n    \t<div class=\"row\">\n    \t\t<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/round_church.png\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"round bottom church symbol\"><\/figure><div class=\"columns five offset-one\">\n                \n\n\n\n            <\/div>\n    \t\t<div class=\"columns five\">\n                \n<p>This shows the place of worship either has a spire, minaret or dome. In the British countryside, chances are you\u2019re looking for a spire on a Christian church. Spires were constructed from 1200 onwards, in an architectural style known as \u2018Gothic\u2019.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section>\n    <div class=\"container\">\n    \t<div class=\"row\">\n    \t\t<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/cross_symbol.png\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"church symbol with no spire\"><\/figure><div class=\"columns five offset-one\">\n                \n\n\n\n            <\/div>\n    \t\t<div class=\"columns five\">\n                \n<p>This is a place of worship with no tower or spire. These might be chapels or meeting houses, where the architecture is a lot more domestic in style, representing a different style of worship.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-buy-old-ordnance-survey-maps-printed-on-premium-quality-paper-great-for-gifts\">Buy Old Ordnance Survey Maps &#8211; Printed on Premium Quality Paper &#8211; Great for Gifts!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/yr-wyddfa-snowdon-1896-1904\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/snowdon__10901-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Old map of Snowdon\" class=\"wp-image-16736\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/snowdon__10901-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/snowdon__10901-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/snowdon__10901-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/snowdon__10901-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/snowdon__10901-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/snowdon__10901-1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/snowdon__10901.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/yr-wyddfa-snowdon-1896-1904\/\">Historical Map of Snowdon<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/north-london-1896-1904\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/north_london.2__57760-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"historic map of North london\" class=\"wp-image-16737\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/north_london.2__57760-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/north_london.2__57760-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/north_london.2__57760-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/north_london.2__57760-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/north_london.2__57760-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/north_london.2__57760-1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/north_london.2__57760.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/north-london-1896-1904\/\">Historical  Map of North London<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/applecross-1896-1904\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/applecross__20946-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Historic Map of Applecross\" class=\"wp-image-16738\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/applecross__20946-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/applecross__20946-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/applecross__20946-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/applecross__20946-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/applecross__20946-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/applecross__20946-1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/applecross__20946.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/applecross-1896-1904\/\">Historical Map of Applecross<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t<section id=\"block_c012992c6c9df80cb5a19068022b4a33\" class=\"Inner InnerButtons\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center justify-content-md-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"InnerButtons__button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/maps\/historic-maps\/\" class=\"Button Button--blue \" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"Button__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\tFind a Historic Map of Your Area\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"Button__arrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<g>\n<path d=\"M5 12H19M19 12L12 5M19 12L12 19\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n<\/g>\n<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-land-markings\">Land Markings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-gothic-script\">Gothic Script<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>When you see a gothic label on the map, it means the site is definitely archaeological, but one that isn\u2019t Roman. The feature will usually be prehistoric (ie before AD43), or medieval (from the 400s AD until around 1600), or slightly later. For example, you might spot <a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/stone-circles-in-britain-10-must-see-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">stone circles<\/a> on your map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/os_maps_earth_works.png\" alt=\"Gothic script on maps\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><small>There are lots of examples in the ancient woodlands of the New Forest<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1754991051476\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What does Tumulus or Tumuli mean on a map?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\"><strong>Tumulus or Mound <\/strong>\u2013 this may be an ancient burial mound (or plural, \u2018<strong>Tumuli<\/strong>\u2019), it may be a burnt mound of stones that was possibly used in prehistoric times for cooking, or it could be a pillow mound, which is a manmade medieval rabbit warren.<br\/><br\/>Field systems, settlements and enclosures are often low earthworks that are the final visible remains of houses, fields, tracks and land boundaries.<br\/><br\/>Map makers and archaeologists show small bumps and dips in the ground using marks called <strong>hachures<\/strong>.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"images-with-captions row\">\n    <div class=\"image-with-caption columns six\">\n        \n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/hachures_1.png\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"earthworks and mounds OS map symbol\">\n\n<p class=\"caption\"><small>The triangular shape indicates the direction of the slope &#8211; the narrow end always faces downhill. Image: \u2018Hidden Histories by Mary-Ann Ochota \/ Frances Lincoln 2016\u2019<\/small><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll see these on OS maps to show earthworks and mounds, for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-roman-roads\">Roman Roads<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If a stretch of road or an earthwork has been confirmed as being originally <a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/roman-sites-in-britain-10-historic-highlights\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Roman<\/a>, it\u2019ll be marked in capitals, in a sans serif font. Sometimes you\u2019ll see one section of Roman road marked, but then the modern road curves away elsewhere. Look on the map to see if you can trace the original route of the Roman road \u2013 it\u2019s sometimes preserved in field boundaries, minor roads, footpaths or parish boundaries. You may be able to trace it to another section of marked <strong>ROMAN ROAD<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/great_north_road.png\" alt=\"Roman road OS Map\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><small>The Great North Road (now more commonly known as the A1 and in parts the A1 (M)) from London to Scotland is a great example of modern roads and Roman roads meeting on the map.<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>At least 10,000 miles (16,000 km) of Roman road were built in Britain, mostly before AD150, and they used the existing network of earth tracks and routes that the Iron Age Britons used. It\u2019s a myth that Roman roads were dead straight, regardless of the terrain \u2013 they were more pragmatic than that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Roman roads are straight &#8211; but in sections. Look out for clues on your map that might show where Roman surveyors decided to change direction in order to reduce the gradient up hills, or to avoid obstacles.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<section id=\"block_db818613a0d45f45f9a795e48cc444ee\" class=\"BigCommerce BigCommerce--no-products default pt-default pb-default mt-none mb-none     BigCommerce--slider \"  data-color-scheme=\"default\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\t<div class=\"BigCommerceBanner\">\n\n\n\t<div class=\"BigCommerceBanner__content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"BigCommerceBanner__product\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"393\" height=\"475\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/untitled-design-1.png\" class=\"BigCommerceBanner__product-img\" alt=\"OS Guidebooks and Maps\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/untitled-design-1.png 393w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/untitled-design-1-248x300.png 248w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 393px) 100vw, 393px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"BigCommerceBanner__subheading\">\n\t\t\t\tEXPLORE THE\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"BigCommerceBanner__heading\">\n\t\t\t\tOS Shop\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"BigCommerceBanner__description\">\n\t\t\t\tWe are with you every step of the way.\u00a0Shop our trusted walking and hiking maps and guidebooks\u2028so you can explore the outdoors with confidence.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/\" class=\"Button Button--orange \" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"Button__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\tGo to the shop\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"BigCommerceProductsBox\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper BigCommerceProductsSwiper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-wrapper Products\" data-products=\"2842,2843\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-between align-items-center swiper-navigation\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-button-prev\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-button-next\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center BigCommerce__button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/\" class=\"Button Button--orange \" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"Button__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\tGo to the shop\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-boundary-markers\">Boundary Markers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Look closely and you\u2019ll often see MP, MS and BS marked on your map, next to a faint dot. MP is a milepost, MS is a milestone, BS is a boundary stone. These are quite fun targets if you want to practise your navigation skills \u2013 and when you do reach the stone, it will usually have interesting markings on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-milestones\">Milestones <\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The Romans were the first to standardise distances between road markers. They\u2019d erect a cylindrical standing stone at every Roman mile (1480m, which was officially 1,000 double paces), marked with the distance to the next important site, and the name of the Emperor whose reign it was. A few of these still survive \u2013 check the online heritage registers kept by <a href=\"https:\/\/historicengland.org.uk\/listing\/the-list\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Historic England<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/portal.historicenvironment.scot\/apex\/f?p=PORTAL:search\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Historic Scotland<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/cadw.gov.wales\/advice-support\/cof-cymru\/search-cadw-records\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CADW <\/a>for the locations of Roman milestones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most milestones you\u2019ll see date from the 1700s or later, when new Turnpike roads were legally required to have milestone markers. It meant passengers and goods carried on the stagecoaches could be charged standardised rates for the distance they travelled. You\u2019ll also see plenty of milestones along canals, also used to calculate how much people would be charged for moving their goods by barge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-boundary-stones\">Boundary Stones<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>These usually still mark modern parish boundaries \u2013 look to see if there are grey dashed lines on the map that run up to and away from the stone. On the stone itself, look for initials that indicate which parish boundaries are marked by the stone. Usually it\u2019s just two, but sometimes a stone marks the intersection of three parishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/BOUNDARY_STONES.png\" alt=\"Boundary Stones OS Map\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><small>Boundary Stones near Brough in The Pennines<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout the medieval period and into the 1700s, the right to collect peat for fuel from moorlands or \u2018mosses\u2019 was carefully protected. Each township or manor was allocated a section of the peat beds and in some places, engraved turbary stones were used to mark the boundaries of different peat beds. Surviving turbary stones are rare, but they can also have initials carved into them to show which township claimed which part of the moor.<br><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"ad_hr\" role=\"none\">\r\n<div class=\"home_hero_20_mix_match\">\r\n    <div>\r\n        <h2>NEW DOG FRIENDLY WALKING GUIDE BOOKS<\/h2><h4>A collection of brand new books from Ordnance Survey<\/h4>\r\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.osmaps.com\/books\/os-short-walks-made-easy-guidebooks\/os-swme-dog-friendly-walks\/\" class=\"Button Button--red Button--smaller\"><span class=\"Button__text\">Shop Now<\/span><\/a>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div>\r\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/swmedogs.png\" alt=\"OFFER: save 20\" height=\"250\" width=\"250\" \/>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<hr class=\"ad_hr\" role=\"none\">\r\n\r\n<style>\r\n .InnerBlocks .home_hero_20_mix_match h2 {\r\n    margin-top: 20px;\r\n    margin-bottom: 20px;\r\n}\r\n   \r\n.InnerBlocks .ad_hr {\r\n margin: 20px;\r\n border-color: #9f9f9f;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.home_hero_20_mix_match {\r\n  display: flex;\r\n  flex-flow: row wrap;\r\n  background-image:  linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45) 0%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.30) 40%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 50%), url(\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/dog-in-peak-district.jpg\");\r\n  background-position: center center;\r\n  background-size:cover;\r\n  border-radius: 25px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.home_hero_20_mix_match  > div {\r\n  width: 100%;\r\n  padding: 2% 8%;\r\n  color: #ffffff;\r\n  text-align: center;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.home_hero_20_mix_match  > div:nth-child(2) {\r\n  padding: 0;\r\n  padding-bottom: 0px;\r\n  display: flex;\r\n  justify-content: center;\r\n  align-self: center;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.home_hero_20_mix_match > div > img {\r\n  width: 100%;\r\n  height: auto;\r\n  max-width: 250px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.home_hero_20_mix_match  h2 {\r\n  font-size: 3rem;\r\n  font-weight: 600;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.home_hero_20_mix_match  p {\r\n  font-size: 2rem;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.home_hero_20_mix_match  a {\r\n  font-size: 2rem;\r\n}\r\n    \r\n.Button--smaller {\r\n  padding: 8px 20px!important;\r\n}\r\n    \r\n.Button--smaller span {\r\n  font-size: 20px;\r\n}    \r\n\r\n\r\n@media (min-width:50em){\r\n  .home_hero_20_mix_match {\r\n    background-image:  linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45) 0%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.30) 40%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 50%), url(\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/dog-in-peak-district.jpg\");\r\n  }\r\n  .home_hero_20_mix_match  > div {\r\n    width: 50%;\r\n    text-align: left;\r\n  }\r\n  .home_hero_20_mix_match  h2 {\r\n    font-size: 5rem;\r\n  }\r\n  .home_hero_20_mix_match  p {\r\n    font-size: 3rem;\r\n  }\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-map-maker-marks-to-spot-in-the-landscape\">\u200bMap-Maker Marks to Spot in the Landscape<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-bench-marks\"><strong>Bench Marks <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When you\u2019re on an outside adventure you may see a symbol of an engraved upward arrow pointing to a horizontal line on buildings and fixed features like milestones. These are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk\/geodesy-positioning\/legacy-data\/benchmark-search\">Ordnance Survey Bench Marks (BMs)<\/a>. They were established to accurately map land heights above sea level. The network is no longer maintained, as GPS and high-accuracy points are used for heighting the land instead. There are around half a million defunct BMs around the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"images-with-captions row\">\n    <div class=\"image-with-caption columns six\">\n        \n<center><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/OS_BENCH_MARK.png\" alt=\"OS Bench Mark\"\/><\/center>\n\n<p class=\"caption\"><small>Bench Mark found on a church<\/small><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"images-with-captions row\">\n    <div class=\"image-with-caption columns six\">\n        \n<center><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/flush_bracket.png\"  alt=\"Flush Bracket Trig Pillar.\"><\/center>\n\n<p class=\"caption\"><small>A Flush Bracket on a Trig Pillar.<\/small><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Flush Brackets <\/strong>are metal plates fixed to walls that provided additional OS BMs. They\u2019ll have the arrow pointing to a horizontal line, as well as a series number. Trig Point pillars (often found at the top of hills) have Flush Brackets at their base. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although not quite as old, many people consider these to be archaeological features of the future!<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now it&#8217;s your turn to GetOutside and unearth some hidden history for yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"images-with-captions row\">\n    <div class=\"image-with-caption columns six\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/gp\/product\/0711236925\/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<center><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/site\/uploads\/images\/hidden_histories_comp.png\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Hidden Histories: A Spotter's Guide to the British Landscape\"> <\/center>\n<\/a>\n<p>Hidden Histories: A Spotter&#8217;s Guide to the British Landscape<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n    \t\t<div class=\"columns five\">\n                \n<p> \n<\/p><p>Entertaining and factually rigorous, <em>Hidden Histories: A Spotter&#8217;s Guide to the British Landscape<\/em> by British broadcaster and anthropologist, Mary-Ann Ochota, will help you decipher the story of our landscape through the features you can see around you.<\/p><p><\/p>\n\n<p>\nBanner image: MaryAnnOchota.com Credit: Simon Fox <\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"MetaShare\">\n\n\t\t\t<button id=\"likeButton\" data-nonce=\"5d2ad65090\" data-postid=\"1482\" class=\"Button Button--default Button--icon likeButton\"><span class=\"likeButtonText\">Like this guide<\/span><svg width=\"21\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 21 20\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M10.4947 3.09742C8.5448 1.39335 5.66108 1.04464 3.42166 2.95804C0.999337 5.02773 0.647396 8.5134 2.56291 10.9783C3.29002 11.9139 4.70917 13.3196 6.07302 14.6069C7.45283 15.9092 8.82946 17.1399 9.50834 17.7411C9.51258 17.7449 9.51691 17.7487 9.5213 17.7526C9.58512 17.8092 9.66457 17.8796 9.74074 17.937C9.83194 18.0057 9.96286 18.0909 10.1377 18.1431C10.3701 18.2124 10.62 18.2124 10.8524 18.1431C11.0272 18.0909 11.1581 18.0057 11.2493 17.937C11.3255 17.8796 11.405 17.8092 11.4688 17.7526C11.4732 17.7487 11.4775 17.7449 11.4817 17.7411C12.1606 17.1399 13.5373 15.9092 14.9171 14.6069C16.2809 13.3196 17.7001 11.9139 18.4272 10.9783C20.3353 8.52288 20.0377 5.01032 17.5597 2.95074C15.2954 1.06872 12.4424 1.3927 10.4947 3.09742Z\" fill=\"#186571\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n<\/button>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center MetaShareSocial\" aria-label=\"Share\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"X\" class=\"Button Button--default MetaShareSocial__button MetaShareSocial__button--x\" id=\"share-twitter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><g transform=\"translate(-173 238)\"><path d=\"M18.9.75h3.68l-8.04,9.213L24,22.5H16.594l-5.8-7.6L4.156,22.5H.474l8.6-9.854L0,.75H7.594L12.837,7.7ZM17.61,20.291h2.039L6.486,2.843H4.3Z\" transform=\"translate(173 -237.625)\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"  class=\"Button Button--default MetaShareSocial__button MetaShareSocial__button--f\" id=\"share-facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><g transform=\"translate(-89 238)\"><path d=\"M14.186,24V13.2h3.279L18,8.4H14.186V6.062c0-1.236.032-2.462,1.759-2.462h1.749V.168A19.34,19.34,0,0,0,14.671,0C11.5,0,9.508,1.989,9.508,5.64V8.4H6v4.8H9.508V24Z\" transform=\"translate(89 -238)\" fill=\"currentColor\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"\/><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div id=\"likeCount\" class=\"likeCount\">Liked by <span id=\"likeCountValue\">15<\/span> users<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<hr class=\"MetaShare__hr\" \/>\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"MetaShareAuthor\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"MetaShareAuthor__name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Mary-Ann Ochota\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn what old map symbols mean. British broadcaster and anthropologist, Mary-Ann Ochota reveals some of the most common archaeological clues and historic map symbols.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4710,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[361],"activities":[44,36],"locations":[],"class_list":["post-1482","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-history","activities-beginners-guides","activities-map-reading"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Guide to Historic OS Map Symbols | OS GetOutside<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the rich history depicted by old OS map symbols with our helpful guide by British broadcaster and anthropologist, Mary-Ann Ochota.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/how-to-spot-history-in-your-map\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Guide to Historic OS Map Symbols | OS GetOutside\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover the rich history depicted by old OS map symbols with our helpful guide by British broadcaster and anthropologist, Mary-Ann Ochota.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/how-to-spot-history-in-your-map\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"OS Maps Discover\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/osmapping\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-01-25T00:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta 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