The article provides theoretical and practical fundamentals of surveying all historical epochs. It is noted that at each of its reincarnation gene remains the subject of predestination development of geodesy. It is noted that in the twentieth century. in geodesy has lost its theoretical foundations. Serves as a scientific basis for geodesy in the new development stage to accept the «theory of the development of geodesy». It is noted that during the formation of the paradigm of geodesy at the beginning of XXI century, there are some difficulties and problems of conceptual-terminological nature.