What role does a monument play in determining property boundaries?

A monument plays a critical role in determining property boundaries as it acts as a point of reference for measuring property boundaries. Monuments are physical markers such as stones, fences, or other structures placed at specific points along the boundaries of a property. These markers help identify the exact limits of a property and offer a reliable means to measure distances and angles, ensuring accuracy in defining the extent of land ownership. This is crucial when disputes arise regarding property lines, as monuments provide clear indicators of where one person's property ends and another's begins.

While monuments may be referenced in legal contexts or contribute to historical land ownership records, their primary function is not as legal evidence or as historical records, but rather as physical indicators that facilitate boundary measurement. They are certainly not decorative features; their purpose is functional and critical for land surveying and property delineation.