Iran’s Nashtifan windmills unique in the world: Researcher

The ancient windmills located in Iran’s Nashtifan region are unique in the world, a French researcher says.

Among the most dominant and intelligent ancient masterpieces throughout the extensive period of Persian history, Nashtifan’s still-churning windmills are unique in the world, said French researcher, Dr. Jean Claude Vouzen.

Made of natural clay, straw, and wood, the windmills have been milling grain for flour for an estimated 2,000 years,” Vouzen said.

He compared the windmill’s vertical axis design to those that were invented by the early Persians.

“This design was slowly spread through the world and was later adapted by the European countries,” he added.

Nashtifan region in the southeast of Iran were a staple production commodity for millwrights for nearly one and half millennia.

“We assumed that this technology was invented in Sassanid era or earlier and the region is so well known for its wind that the name Nashtifan is derived from words that mean storm’s sting,” Vouzen stated.

Made of natural clay, straw, and wood, the windmills are still milling grain for flour in Iran today.

The amazing feat of ancient engineering has put the town on the tourist map.

“The tourism industry can be an important way to generate jobs for the youth. One of our main goals is to advertise Persian history to encourage visitors and promote technology and draw investments," Vouzen concluded.

AI/AI