An investigation and reconstruction of traditional vertical-Axle-styled 'Chinese great windmill' and its square-pallet chain-pump

From 2004 to 2006, in the north of Jiangsu Province, the Institute for the History of Natural Science (IHNS, CAS), in collaboration with Southern Taiwan University of Technology (STUT), carried out a field survey and reconstructed a vertical-axle “Chinese Great windmill” (CGW) complete with its square-pallet chain-pump (SPCP). An experienced carpenter, Master Ya Chen, who once made and repaired CGWs in the 1950–1960s, was recruited to assist with the reconstruction of the CGW using only traditional craftsmanship. The authors recorded the entire reconstruction process and at the same time investigated related local folkcustom. In this article, the process of investigation and reconstruction of the CGW were reported and the technical issues involved were also discussed.