When establishing boundaries using metes-and-bounds, what role do monuments play?

In the metes-and-bounds system of land description, monuments are crucial elements that help to delineate specific property lines. Monuments can be natural features, such as rivers and trees, or artificial markers, such as stakes or fences, that provide tangible reference points for property boundaries. By establishing these landmarks, the metes-and-bounds system allows for precise and legally recognized descriptions of land parcels.

Unlike decorative features, which may not have any functional significance in property delineation, or economic zones, which refer to broader regulatory areas and not individual property lines, the role of monuments is specifically tied to the demarcation of property boundaries. While historical context can sometimes benefit from knowing the history of a particular area or its land use, when it comes to defining property lines through metes-and-bounds, the primary focus is on the physical markers that provide clarity and legal certainty regarding land ownership.