What type of machine did Leonardo da Vinci design to move water upward?

Leonardo da Vinci studied and designed versions of Archimedes’ screw, a machine for raising water.

An Archimedes’ screw consists of a helical surface or blade arranged around a central shaft inside a tube or trough. As the screw rotates, water is carried upward along the spiral. Leonardo examined the geometry and operation of screw-based water-lifting devices in his engineering studies.

The machine was not Leonardo’s invention. It is traditionally associated with Archimedes of Syracuse, who lived in the third century BCE, although the exact history of the device is debated. Leonardo’s role was to analyze, illustrate, and develop mechanical designs within the engineering tradition of his time.

The screw remains useful for drainage, irrigation, wastewater treatment, and moving bulk materials. Its low-speed operation and ability to handle debris make it practical where some modern pumps are less suitable.