The evolution of elevating mechanisms in ancient Greece was remarkable, as demonstrate the Parthenon on the Athenian Acropolis and the huge temples in Italy (Great Greece) and Ephesus (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World). The elevating mechanism for stone transportation at the port of Amathous reflects the evolution of mechanisms that have to do with port building with large stoneblocks. The archaeological research conducted by Jean Yves Empereur at Amathous port (1984-87) brought to light two archaic piers made of massive blocks with cuts at the edges. These cuts served for the bandaging of the ropes, by the means of which they were transported. The study of the archaeological data led Tony Kozelj to make the proposition of the mechanism for the elevation and the placement of the blocks, in order to build the piers. The elevating mechanism consists of a system of beams in the form of a Π. A combination of winches and pulleys, aided by ropes, gave the possibility to transport each block, in the air, from the back platform to the front part of the mechanism and hence into the water. It is probable that there were two such mechanisms working simultaneously for the construction of each face of the pier, while the void inbetween was filled with small stones at a later stage.
