The Archimedes screw, also known as Archimedes' screw, the Archimedean screw or the screwpump is a machine historically used for transferring water from a low-lying body of water into irrigation ditches. It was one of several inventions and discoveries traditionally attributed to Archimedes in the 3rd century BC.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archimedes%27_screw