As Adriaan says, The Chinese were using VAWT sails well before BC.
I have posted the below pics and my observations on this forum somewhere.?
I did build one, well I started one, Its very simple and easy to repair, its just Chinese Junk sails with each tacking into the wind, gybe-ing running with wind then luffing into the wind and back to tacking. The Sheet, the rope that allows the sail boom to luff etc can be set for the wind speed.
I used a 25kg steel flywheel as a controlling load, and it pumped a hydraulic ram, or as the early Chinese used the design, it could pump water really nicely.
Pic one. China late 1950's - 1960's pumping water, simple construction with local bamboo and Junk ship design sails.
Pic 2. .......
I have a few more pics of other early Chinese differing designs, that's if they are any use?
I have wondered if using the latest sail boat technologies that form a variable aerofoil extremely efficiently and modern rapid sheet control, this early simple design could be seriously advanced. ?