Wind power has been used by humans since antiquity.
Great oceans were crossed to explore unknown lands by putting up sails against the wind.
The first practical windmills went up in Persia, possibly as early as the 5th century AD.
There are approximately 30 of windmills scattered thought the area and can reach heights of 15-20 meters.
The wooden blades of these windmills turn the grinding stones in a room made of clay.
The vibrations created by such rotation gradually shifts the grains from their holding container to the grain grinders.
The end result is that the grain is ground into flour.
The windmills at Nashtifan have a horizontal design, i.e.
the driveshaft is vertical and the wind panels rotate horizontally.
The drawback in the design is compensated by the immense wind energy that is available in this area.
At Nashtifan, speed of the wind often reach 120 kilometers per hour.
In 2002 the windmills of Nashtifan were registered as a national heritage site by Irans Cultural Heritage Department.
