The noria is a water lifting device that is powered by water itself. This ancient device was used in Roman times to lift water so that it could be channeled away from the river to irrigate fields farther from the river, or for use in a city far from the river. A noria is basically an undershot water wheel, with water containers on spokes of the wheel. As the river turns the wheel, the containers fill with water, are lifted to the top of the wheel, and dump their water into an aquaduct which takes it away. The noria shown on Syrian currenty was built about 1300, but is typical of much earlier norias.
Here is a pretty impressive view of the noria at Hama in Syria, a very famous one. The axle is a poplar tree trunk with a metal sleeve around it, which is replaced about every 15 years. What is interesting is that these and most middle east norias have spokes which are not radial. Why is that, any one care to speculate?
Because spokes are loaded in tension, not in compression, and because non-radial mounting provides for more fasteners to spread the stress to. In other words, it was easier for them to nail it to the side of the axle.
Posted by: Matt Prater | May 12, 2005 at 11:32 PM
i have chosen 2 study water machenery and inventions at school( sorry about bad spelling! im in yr 7!)
can you send me some more inventions?
thanks anyway!
Annalise
Posted by: Annalise | June 15, 2005 at 08:40 PM
Annalise - what kind of water machinery and inventions are you interested in? I might be able to send you a link to a few good sites. Where do you live? Bob S.
Posted by: Bob Shaver | June 20, 2005 at 11:26 AM