Archimedes' screw
A helical screw used for pumping water and generating power.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
An Archimedes' screw is a hydraulic device made up of an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder fitted with helical blades. It can function either as a pump or as a power generator, and has been applied to tasks like drainage, sewage management, and irrigation.
The machine’s origins are unclear. Archimedes of Syracuse is traditionally credited with its invention, but some scholars argue he may have encountered it already in use by the Egyptians. The earliest known mention of the screw appears in a text from between 250 and 220 BC. Archaeological finds across Europe and Asia indicate it spread throughout the Roman Empire, though it largely disappeared from Europe by the third century AD. It resurfaced during the Renaissance and was later introduced to regions such as China and Japan. In 1991, a patent was filed for an Archimedes screw turbine, with testing carried out from 1993 to 1995.
When used as a pump, the screw lifts water from a low-lying source into irrigation channels by rotating a screw-shaped surface inside a pipe. Today, Archimedes' screw pumps are common in wastewater treatment plants and for draining low-lying areas. When run in reverse, Archimedes screw turbines act as small hydroelectric generators, suitable even for low-head sites. They operate across a wide range of flows (0.01 m³/s to 14.5 m³/s) and heads (0.1 m to 10 m), including conditions with low heads and moderate flow rates that are poorly suited to traditional turbines and not covered by high-performance technologies.
- type
- Hydraulic machine
- earliest mention
- Between 250 and 220 BC
- traditional inventor
- Archimedes of Syracuse
- alternative origin
- Possibly used by Egyptians before Archimedes
- known for
- Lifting water and generating power
- modern application
- Wastewater treatment and low-head hydroelectricity
Lore & Background
The origins of the water screw are unknown. Archimedes of Syracuse is traditionally credited with inventing it, but other academics argue he found the Egyptians already using the screw. The earliest mention of the screw is from between 250 and 220 BC. Archaeological remains of water screws in Europe and Asia suggest it was diffused across the territories of the Roman Empire, though it largely fell out of use in Europe in the third century AD. It resurfaced during the Renaissance and was introduced to regions such as China and Japan.
Reader's Guide
The Archimedes' screw has had a lasting significance as a simple yet effective hydraulic machine. As a pump, it lifts water by turning a screw-shaped surface inside a pipe, and has been widely used in wastewater treatment plants and for dewatering low-lying regions. Run in reverse, Archimedes screw turbines act as small hydroelectric powerplants that can be applied even in low head sites, operating in a wide range of flows and heads not ideal for traditional turbines. In 1991, a patent for the Archimedes screw turbine was filed, with testing done between 1993 and 1995. Its ability to function in low heads and moderate flow rates has made it valuable for renewable energy generation in locations where high-performance technologies are not feasible.
Did You Know?
- The earliest mention of the Archimedes' screw is from between 250 and 220 BC.
- Archaeological remains of water screws have been found in Europe and Asia, suggesting diffusion across the Roman Empire.
- The screw largely fell out of use in Europe in the third century AD but resurfaced during the Renaissance.
- In 1991, a patent for the Archimedes screw turbine was filed, with testing done between 1993 and 1995.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Archimedes' screw?
It is a hydraulic machine built around a helical blade enclosed in a cylinder, capable of either lifting water or converting water flow into rotational power. In short, it works as both a pump and a simple power generator.
Did Archimedes actually invent the screw?
Archimedes of Syracuse is the name most often attached to the device, but some scholars suspect the Egyptians were already operating a similar mechanism before his era. The oldest surviving written reference falls between 250 and 220 BC, so the true origin remains debated.
How does an Archimedes' screw actually work?
As the inner helical blade rotates inside the outer cylinder, it traps water in the pockets between turns and carries it upward with each revolution. Run in the opposite direction, flowing water can spin the screw to deliver mechanical power.
What was the Archimedes' screw used for in the ancient world?
Civilizations put it to work draining flooded land, moving sewage, and irrigating crops in dry regions. Archaeological finds across Europe and Asia show the design spread far beyond its original Mediterranean home.
Is the Archimedes' screw still in use today?
Absolutely—it remains a practical choice in modern wastewater-treatment plants and small low-head hydroelectric installations. Its mechanical simplicity and low maintenance needs keep it competitive even alongside far more complex pumping technology.
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