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Survey of Palestine
1877, Palestine Exploration Fund
The PEF Survey of Palestine was a series of surveys carried out by the Palestine Exploration Fund (PEF) between 1872 and 1877 for the completed Survey of Western Palestine. Twenty-six sheets were produced for “Western Palestine” and it was considered the first fully scientific mapping of Palestine.
Besides being a geographic survey the group collected thousands of place names with the objective of identifying Biblical, Talmudic, early Christian and Crusading locations. The survey resulted in the publication of a map of Palestine consisting of 26 sheets, at a scale of 1:63,360, the most detailed and accurate map of Palestine published in the 19th century. Although the holiness of Palestine was a significant motivator for many members of the PEF, the allocation of British Army Royal Engineers to carry out the survey was a result of British strategic interests, particularly the proximity of the Suez Canal.
Palestinian writer Nur Masalha posited that the popularity of the publications led to a growth in Zionism amongst Jews.
