Antikythera mechanism

Discovery and Recovery

The Antikythera mechanism was discovered in the year 1901, off the coast of the Greek island Antikythera, from which it derives its name. The mechanism was found in the remains of a shipwreck by sponge divers who were exploring the area. The ship is believed to have sunk in the first century BC, carrying a cargo of Greek treasures from the coast of Asia Minor west to Rome.

Underwater view of an ancient shipwreck.

Description

The Antikythera mechanism is a complex device, often described as the world's first known analog computer. It is made up of a series of bronze gears and dials, housed in a wooden box approximately 340 mm × 180 mm × 90 mm in size. The device is inscribed with a series of instructions in Koine Greek, which would have guided the user in its operation.

Function

The primary function of the Antikythera mechanism was to predict astronomical positions and eclipses for calendrical and astrological purposes. It was also used to track the four-year cycle of the ancient Olympic Games. The front dial carries two concentric scales. The outer ring is marked off with the days of the 365-day Egyptian calendar, or the Sothic year, while the inner ring is divided into 12 sections for each sign of the Zodiac.

Construction and Design

The Antikythera mechanism is a marvel of ancient engineering, demonstrating a level of complexity not seen again until the development of mechanical astronomical clocks in Europe in the fourteenth century. The device is made up of at least 30 different gears, although some estimates suggest that the original mechanism may have contained as many as 37 gears.

Close-up view of intricate bronze gears.

Significance

The Antikythera mechanism is significant for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is the oldest known complex scientific calculator. It predates other known examples of similar devices by over a thousand years and represents a level of sophistication that would not be matched until the Middle Ages. Secondly, the mechanism provides evidence of advanced technology existing in the Hellenistic Period that was previously unknown.