It consisted of a movable (on wooden rollers) platform and a vertical articulated frame in the shape of “Π” which had a block and tackle (“polispasto”) on its top and a radiated winch for the elevation of the load at its base. On both sides of the platform there were winches to control the frame inclination. It was particularly suitable for loading or unloading ships but also for the construction of moles as it is described by the excavation team of Jean- Yves Empereour at the Cyprus Amathus port. The stone was fastened (from the “U” shaped handles at both sides) at the rear of the platform, then it was lifted by means of the central winch and then moved to the front side of the platform using a combination of pulling and loosening of the front and rear winch, respectively. Then the stone was lowered using the central winch (and since it could be rotated) it was positioned inside the sea. The platform moved constantly lengthwise on the built mole. (With two identical mechanisms, two parallel sides of each mole were built and the space between was filled with rubble).

SOURCES: Vitrouvius, On architecture, X, Heron of Alexandria, Mechanics, Pappos of Alexandria, Mechanics, Tony Kozelj, Manuela, Wurd- Kozelj, Jean-Yves Empereour, Elevating mechanism for stone transport in Amathus port.