Antikythera Mechanism: Ancient Greek astronomical computer found in 70-60 BCE shipwreck

April 26, 2026

TürkiyeArtifact

City/town/settlement500 BC - 1 AD

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

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