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A post mill is a type of windmill where the entire body of the mill, containing the machinery and sails, is mounted on a single, sturdy post. This post allows the entire structure to be rotated to face the wind.1

Windmills, in general, are devices that harness the energy of the wind using sails on a rotating shaft. They were crucial prime movers, replacing human and animal power for tasks like grinding grain and pumping water, especially in Europe from the 12th century onwards. The post mill is considered the earliest form of the vertical windmill, which derives from Roman water mill designs.23

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