The Antikythera mechanism is a 2,000 year old mechanical computer

In summary, the Antikythera mechanism was a groundbreaking piece of technology created by the Greeks during ancient times. It was discovered at the bottom of the Mediterranean and was found to be ahead of its time. Through innovative imaging techniques, researchers were able to uncover its intricate design and function. There are several documentaries and videos available online that further explore and explain this remarkable discovery.
  • #1
ElliotSmith
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TL;DR Summary
2,000 year year old Greek-built mechanical analog computer may have bee the world's very first computer.
This was a marvel of technology for the time.

Leave it up to the Greeks to invent something like this, they were at the forefront of innovation in the ancient world.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism
 
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Computer science news on Phys.org
  • #3
I saw a documentary on this and its discovery a few years ago at an archeology channel event that was in town here.
It is fascinating and amazingly ahead of when comparable mechanisms were made.
Also what a lucky find, at the bottom of the Mediterranean and covered in encrustations.
 
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  • #5
And another link from Clickspring’s YouTube channel describing his reproduction of the mechanism.
 
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  • #6
And a 1-3/4 hour video by Tony Freeth of University College, London, presented at Stanford University in 2015.

 
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1. What is the Antikythera mechanism?

The Antikythera mechanism is a complex mechanical device from ancient Greece that is believed to be a 2,000 year old computer. It is made up of over 30 bronze gears and was used to track astronomical events and time.

2. How was the Antikythera mechanism discovered?

The Antikythera mechanism was discovered in 1900 by a group of sponge divers off the coast of the Greek island of Antikythera. It was found in a shipwreck along with other artifacts from the 1st century BC.

3. How does the Antikythera mechanism work?

The Antikythera mechanism is believed to work by using a series of gears and dials to track the cycles of the sun, moon, and planets. It also shows the phases of the moon and can predict eclipses. The user would turn a handle to operate the mechanism and view the results on the dials.

4. What makes the Antikythera mechanism so advanced for its time?

The Antikythera mechanism is considered advanced for its time because it uses a complex system of gears and dials to track astronomical events. It also displays a level of precision and accuracy that was not seen in other devices from ancient Greece.

5. What is the significance of the Antikythera mechanism today?

The Antikythera mechanism is significant because it provides insight into the advanced knowledge and technology of ancient civilizations. It also challenges our understanding of the history of computing and shows that complex mechanical devices were being used long before the development of modern computers.

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