Reexamining the Antikythera mechanism challenges a century-old assumption

The Antikythera Mechanism: A 2,200-Year-Old Bronze Mechanical Computer

The Antikythera mechanism, a 2,200-year-old bronze mechanical computer that inspired the titular device in last year’s blockbuster, “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” has captured the fascination of scientists for decades. While it may not possess mystical time-traveling powers, it is believed to have been used by the ancient Greeks to predict eclipses and calculate planetary positions.

A recent study published in The Horological Journal used statistical techniques from physics to analyze the mechanism’s calendar ring and found evidence that it was designed to track the lunar calendar, debunking a long-held assumption that it followed a solar calendar. Co-author Graham Woan, an astrophysicist at the University of Glasgow, stated that applying modern techniques to a device from nearly two millennia ago deepens our understanding of the ancient Greeks’ astronomical knowledge.

Discovered by a Greek sponge diver in 1900 off the coast of Antikythera Island in Greece, the mechanism was later revealed to be an analog computer used to calculate celestial motions. In recent years, advancements in imaging technology have unveiled more of the mechanism’s intricate details, confirming its purpose in predicting heavenly bodies’ positions.

The ongoing research into the Antikythera mechanism, including a new computational model developed by a team at University College London, sheds light on the ancient Greeks’ astronomical achievements. With 37 gears, of which 30 survive, and markings indicating the solar cycle and zodiac, this ancient device remains a testament to the Greeks’ sophisticated understanding of the cosmos.

To summarize, the Antikythera mechanism continues to reveal its secrets through modern scientific investigations, providing a window into the ancient world’s advanced knowledge of astronomy.