Antikythera Mechanism: Ancient Greek astronomical computer found in 70-60 BCE shipwreck. Found in 1900 by sponge divers off Antikythera island in the Aegean Sea Recovered over two years with the Hellenic Royal Navy, including bronze and marble statues, pottery, glassware, jewelry, and coins Made between 260 BCE; the ship set sail between 70 and 60 BCE

Discovered in 1900 by sponge divers near Antikythera island, this extraordinary bronze device was recovered from a 70-60 BCE Greek cargo ship along with statues, coins, and jewelry. Made around 260 BCE, it features front dials showing zodiac signs and calendar days, while the back contains five dials tracking lunar phases, predicting eclipses decades ahead, and even recording the four-year Olympic cycle. X-ray imaging revealed engraved instructions inside. Cicero mentioned similar Archimedes devices brought to Rome as war trophies. Often called the world's first analog computer, researchers believe it may have served as a philosophical teaching device summarizing cosmic knowledge.

Key Facts

  • Found in 1900 by sponge divers off Antikythera island in the Aegean Sea
  • Recovered over two years with the Hellenic Royal Navy, including bronze and marble statues, pottery, glassware, jewelry, and coins
  • Made between 260 BCE; the ship set sail between 70 and 60 BCE
  • A Greek cargo ship returning from the coast of Asia Minor
  • 82 known fragments exist, with 7 mechanically significant pieces containing the majority of inscriptions
  • Front has two concentric dials engraved with zodiac signs and days of the year
  • Back has five dials: two large spiral-shaped dials and three small ones
  • Large dials track lunar phases and predict eclipses decades in advance
  • One small dial records the four-year Olympic Games cycle
  • X-rays and CT scans have revealed engraved text and instructions
  • Cicero wrote about similar devices built by Archimedes brought to Rome as war trophies after the siege of Syracuse
  • Prevailing theory: it was a philosophical or teaching device summarizing knowledge of the universe
  • Often called the world's first analog computer

Related site: Myra Antik Kenti — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.

Source: 6 #Ancient #Artifacts That #Archaeology Can't Explain by Inside Archaeology