Abstract: An identification system including a device for locating land and construction survey traverse control points, other survey sites or any location marking the position of a place or thing comprised of a read only or read/write radio frequency transponder enclosed within a durable watertight container including a stake which may be driven into the earth, a read/write reader assembly and, a portable computer. The radio frequency transponder may be written to or read by a non-contacting radio frequency read/write reader assembly. The reader assembly connected to a portable computer through a data interface means such as RS232 or RS422/485. The stake or other container may be buried under any non-metallic material or otherwise not visible as long as it is within the operating range of the reader assembly. Each radio frequency transponder will have a unique identification code imprinted in its memory and, on the read/write transponders, may have additional information written into its memory.