Skip to main content

An Analysis of the Hydraulic Saw of Hierapolis

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Book cover Advances in Italian Mechanism Science

Part of the book series: Mechanisms and Machine Science ((Mechan. Machine Science,volume 47))

Abstract

A mechanical analysis of the hydraulic saw of Hierapolis is presented. The device is the oldest example of saw moved by a water wheel and using a crank and rod mechanism. A bas relief representing the machine was found in Hierapolis, Phrygia, now Turkey, and was studied by the Italian Archaeological Mission in Hierapolis. The bas relief was dated III Century A.D. The paper starts from the archaeological studies of the find and from the early reconstructions that were proposed and presents a new pictorial reconstruction, a mechanical model and a model made by means of WM 2D™; the latter permitted to easily obtain the mechanical behavior of the machine. The water wheel was also modeled starting from archaeological relict found at Venafro, Italy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Chondros TG, Milidonis K, Paipetis S, Rossi C (2015) The Trojan Horse reconstruction. Mech Mach Theor 90:261–282. ISSN: 0094-114X

    Google Scholar 

  2. Marsden EW (1969) Greek and Roman artillery historical development, Oxford University Press II

    Google Scholar 

  3. Marsden EW (1971) Greek and roman artillery. Technical treatises, Oxford, pp 106–184

    Google Scholar 

  4. Messina A, Rossi C (2015) Mechanical behavior and performance of the Onager. J Mech Des 137(3), 034501 (5 pages); Paper No: MD-14-1276. doi:10.1115/1.4029319

  5. Műller G, Wolter C (2004) The breastshot waterwheel: design and model tests. Proc ICE-Eng Sustain 157(4):203–211. http://www.steffenreichel.homepage.t-online.de/Muehlen/Infos/ModernWaterwheels.pdf

  6. Özis Ü, Tűrkman A, Özdemir Y (2005) Historical waterworks in Turkey. In Ninth international water technology conference, IWTC9 2005, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, pp 291–309

    Google Scholar 

  7. Penta F, Rossi C, Savino S (2014) Mechanical behavior of the imperial carroballista. Mech Mach Theor 80:142–150. ISSN: 0094-114X

    Google Scholar 

  8. Quaranta E, Fontan S, Cavagnero P, Revelli R (2015) Efficiency of traditional water wheels. In E-proceedings of the 36th IAHR World Congress, 28 June–3 July, 2015, The Hague, the Netherlands 1

    Google Scholar 

  9. Ritti Tullia, Grewe Klaus, Kessener Paul (2007) A relief of a water-powered stone saw mill on a sarcophagus at hierapolis and its implications. J Roman Archaeol 20:138–163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Rossi C, Russo F, Russo F (2009) Ancient engineers’ inventions. Springer, Precursors of the present. ISBN 978-90-481-2252-3

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  11. Rossi C, Russo F (2010) A reconstruction of the Greek-Roman repeating catapult. Mech Mach Theor 45(1):36–45. ISSN:0094-114X

    Google Scholar 

  12. Rossi C, Pagano S (2011). A study on possible motors for siege towers. J Mech Des 133:1–8. ISSN:1050-0472)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Rossi C (2012). Ancient throwing machines: a method to compute their performances. Mech Mach Theor 51:1–13. ISSN:0094-114X

    Google Scholar 

  14. Rossi C (2013) Guest editorial “On Designs by Ancient Engineers”. J Mech Des Trans ASME 135(6), art. no. 060301. doi:10.1115/1.4024

  15. Rossi C, Pagano S (2013) Improvement in ballistae design from eutitonon to palintonon: a study on the mechanical advantages. J Mech Design Trans ASME 135(8), art. no. 081006

    Google Scholar 

  16. Rossi C, Unich A (2013) A study on possible archimede’s Cannon. Rivista Storica dell’Antichità. Vol. XLIII. ISSN 0300-340X

    Google Scholar 

  17. Rossi C (2014) Some examples of the hellenistic surprising knowledge: its possible origin from the east and its influence on later arab and European engineers. Rivista Storica dell’Antichità, XLIV, 2014, pp 61–84. ISSN 0300-340X

    Google Scholar 

  18. Rossi C, Messina A, Savino S, Reina G (2015) Performance of Greek-Roman Artillery. Arms and Armour. J Royal Armouries 12(1):66–88. ISSN: 1741-6124, Online ISSN: 1749-6268

    Google Scholar 

  19. Russo L (1996) La Rivoluzione dimenticata. Feltrinelli, Milano. ISBN 88-07-81644-X

    Google Scholar 

  20. Sharkey N (2007) The programmable robot of ancient Greece—New Scientist issue 2611, July 4, 2007, pp 32–35

    Google Scholar 

  21. Webb B. The first mobile Robot?—Proc. TIMR 99 Towards intellRossi C., Russo F, Russo F (2009)—Ancient Engineers’ Inventions, Precursors of the present. Springer ISBN: 978-90-481-2252-3

    Google Scholar 

  22. Decimius Magnus Ausonius (III Century A.D.) Mosella

    Google Scholar 

  23. Grewe K, Kessener P (2006) A stone relief of a water-powered stone saw at Hierapolis, Phrygia—a first consideration and reconstruction attempt. In D’Andria F, Caggia MP, Hierapolis di Frigia I: Le attività della Missione Archeologica Italiana a Hierapolis. Campagne 2000–2003. Atti del Convegno di Cavallino (Le), Convento dei Domenicani, Lecce 9-10 Iuglio 2004. Lecce 2006. Also published in Énergie hydraulique et machines élévatrices d’eau dans l’Antiquité, pp 227–234

    Google Scholar 

  24. Grewe K (2010) “La máquina romana de serrar piedras. La representación en bajorrelieve de una sierra de piedras de la antigüedad, en Hierápolis de Frigia y su relevancia para la historia técnica (translation by Miguel Ordóñez)”, Las técnicas y las construcciones de la Ingeniería Romana (PDF), V Congreso de las Obras Públicas Romanas (in Spanish), pp 381–401

    Google Scholar 

  25. Jacono L (1938) “La ruota idraulica di Venafro” L’Ingegnere, n.12, 15 dic. 1938 Stucchi, Milano

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cesare Rossi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this paper

Cite this paper

Rossi, C., Savino, S., Timpone, F. (2017). An Analysis of the Hydraulic Saw of Hierapolis. In: Boschetti, G., Gasparetto, A. (eds) Advances in Italian Mechanism Science. Mechanisms and Machine Science, vol 47. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48375-7_15

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48375-7_15

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-48374-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-48375-7

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics