The important thing about the shaduf is that it shows the principle of leverage - and COUNTERWEIGHTS. To any kid with the exceptional talent of taking everything to pieces - and leaving it that way - the shaduf is irresistable as a 'howtf' does that shtuff happen?
Could a device based on the shaduf lift 2-3 tons a few feet - what materials were available - or was there another way that didn't require a - mostly - rigid beam?
They could make ropes with substantial load-bearing abilities.
We're 'TOLD' that they didn't have the wheel - did chariots run on sleds? Tutankhamen's tomb example didn't, it had wheels - what else?
Could a device based on the shaduf lift 2-3 tons a few feet - what materials were available - or was there another way that didn't require a - mostly - rigid beam?
They could make ropes with substantial load-bearing abilities.
We're 'TOLD' that they didn't have the wheel - did chariots run on sleds? Tutankhamen's tomb example didn't, it had wheels - what else?