Antikythera Mechanism
"The Antikythera mechanism (/ˌæntɨkɨˈθɪərə/ ant-i-ki-theer-ə or /ˌæntɨˈkɪθərə/ ant-i-kith-ə-rə) is an ancient analog computer designed to predict astronomical positions and eclipses for calendrical and astrological purposes, as well as the Olympiads, the cycles of the ancient Olympic Games.
Found housed in a 340 mm × 180 mm × 90 mm wooden box, the device is a complex clockwork mechanism composed of at least 30 meshing bronze gears. Its remains were found as 82 separate fragments, of which only seven contain any gears or significant inscriptions. . . .
The artifact was recovered in 1900–1901 from the Antikythera shipwreck off the Greek island of Antikythera. Believed to have been designed and constructed by Greek scientists, the instrument has been dated either between 150 and 100 BCE, or, according to a more recent view, at 205 BCE."
Found housed in a 340 mm × 180 mm × 90 mm wooden box, the device is a complex clockwork mechanism composed of at least 30 meshing bronze gears. Its remains were found as 82 separate fragments, of which only seven contain any gears or significant inscriptions. . . .
The artifact was recovered in 1900–1901 from the Antikythera shipwreck off the Greek island of Antikythera. Believed to have been designed and constructed by Greek scientists, the instrument has been dated either between 150 and 100 BCE, or, according to a more recent view, at 205 BCE."
- Text from Wikipedia entry for "Antikythera mechanism" (accessed 10/30/2015)
- Image source
Blog Posts and Articles
- "Decoding the Antikythera Mechanism, the First Computer" (Jo Marchant, Smithsonian Magazine, February 2015)
- "The Antikythera Mechanism" (Martin J. Clemens, 3/12/2013)
- "The Cosmos in the Antikythera Mechanism" (Tony Freeth and Alexander Jones, ISAW Papers 4, February 2012)
- "The 10 Most Not-So-Puzzling Ancient Artifacts: The Antikythera Mechanism" (ArchyFantasies, 5/24/2012)
- "The Antikythera Mechanism" (Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews, 12/30/2010)
- "Antikythera Mechanism in the News Again" (Michael Heiser, 11/26/2010)
- "Ancient Astronomy: Mechanical Inspiration" (Jo Marchant, Nature 468: 496-498, 11/24/2010)
- "The Antikythera Mechanism" (Brian Dunning, 12/15/2009)
- "Unique Marvel of Ancient Greek Technology Gives Up New Secrets" (J. R. Minkel, Scientific American, 11/29/2006)
- "The Antikythera Mechanism I" (Tony Phillips, 2000)
- "An Ancient Greek Computer" (Derek J. de Solla Price, Scientific American 201(6), 1959) [behind a paywall]
Other Online Media
- "Video – The Antikythera Mechanism – Cool, But Not Alien" (Chris White, 1/25/2013)
Other Sources
