2023-08-08 08:30:01
The Antikythera Mechanism, which we had already talked about in an article in: The Antikythera Mechanism, would be an ancient “analog computer”, which scientists say “more valuable than the Mona Lisa” is a fascinating and enigmatic object that has puzzled to the scientific community for decades. Discovered on the Greek island of Antikythera in the early 20th century, this ancient machine appears to be a mechanical computer ahead of its time. It is estimated that it was created between 70 and 50 BC, which means that it is approximately 2,100 years old. Its complexity and precision are astonishing and defy historical chronology.
Through X-ray images, researchers have discovered 27 gear wheels in the mechanism that are still inexplicable today. These wheels combined mathematical knowledge with astronomy and made it possible to predict the movement of the Moon and record the movements of the planets. Essentially, the Antikythera Mechanism is considered the first mechanical computer designed by mankind with the ability to foresee future events.
The discovery of this highly sophisticated machine has generated debate among experts, and has become an ‘Oopart’, an artifact that seems to be “out of place” in its historical context. The complexity of the mechanism is staggering, and its existence raises many questions. Who could have created such an advanced machine in ancient Greece? Why was this technology never developed further? Could it have changed the course of history if it had been used in its time?
The history of the Antikythera Mechanism began with a stroke of luck: a storm led a group of divers to discover the remains of a Roman galley on the island of Antikythera. Among the statues and treasures they found this corroded bronze object, which at first seemed like nothing more than a common artifact. However, upon examining it in more detail, they realized its complexity and historical significance.
The first scientist to study the fragments in depth was Derek J. de Solla Price, who took X-rays to reveal the gears hidden within. Analysis of these images provided crucial numbers that matched the astronomical knowledge of the time. The mechanism was found to be able to predict eclipses and the movement of the Moon with great accuracy.
The enigma lingers around who created the mechanism and why its technology never caught on in ancient Greece. Some have put forward the theory that their existence could have threatened the slave-owning society of the time, since certain tasks could have been simplified with the help of similar artifacts.
Recently, experts have used modern technology to recreate the device’s complex gear systems. Through 3D computer models, more details have been revealed about its operation and ability to predict the movement of the planets Venus and Saturn.
The Antikythera Mechanism remains an unsolved mystery that continues to amaze and fascinate those who know its history. Its discovery has led us to question historical chronology and to reflect on how technology lost in the past could have impacted our present if it had been developed at the time. The wonder of this ancient machine reminds us that history still has secrets to uncover, and perhaps even more hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.
Image credit NATURE
#Antikythera #Mechanism #Technological #Enigma #Defies #History