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How did ancient shadoofs lift water for irrigation?
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Irrigation
Specialized irrigation equipment watering crops in a field.
The shaduf (also spelled shadoof) is an ancient, hand-operated device designed to lift water for irrigation. Its mechanism functions similarly to a seesaw, utilizing a long, tapering pole mounted horizontally.1
The device operates through the following steps:
- Configuration: A bucket or skin is suspended from the long end of the pole by a rope, while a heavy counterweight is attached to the short end.1
- Lifting: The operator pulls down on the rope to submerge the bucket into the water source.1
- Raising: Once filled, the operator releases the rope, allowing the counterweight to naturally lift the bucket out of the water.1
To move water to higher elevations, multiple shadufs can be arranged in a series, one above the other. This technology was essential for managing water distribution in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, where it complemented larger-scale engineering projects like canals and dikes.12