Ancient Greek Computers that surprise the modern world
Buried under the Aegean Sea for more than 2,000 years, the Antikythera system is one of the most esoteric and sophisticated technical objects of ancient times. Often described as the world's first Analog computer, this tool has fundamentally shaped our understanding of ancient Greek science and engineering.
Antikythera -Mechanisms:
In 1901, the divers on the coast of the Greek island stumbled down sponge divers on the Roman timer. The treasures that reconstructed the Treasury had a lump of bronze and wood that originally went to notice anyone. Only later, archaeologists realized that they looked at a complex tool that had locking equipment and inscriptions - which is far ahead of their time.
This weird mechanism, dated between 150-100 BC, quickly became the subject of attraction. Still, it wasn't until the 21st century that modern imaging technologies actually began to reveal their secrets.
What did it do: a mechanical universe
The antikythera mechanism is mainly an astronomical calculator. More than 30 moss bronze wheels (some believe that basically more than 60), it can track the sun's chakras, and even predict the time for ancient Greek athletic games such as eclipses and Olympics.
The main features of the device include:
- Solar and lunar calendar based on the Metonic cycle (19-year lunar-sure synchronization).
- Provision of eclipse using Saros Chakra (18 years).
- Zodiac slice for stars and planetary positions.
The gear-driven moon phase indicator that included a differential gear mechanism-until this unit was not studied was a modern invention.
The complexity was created after 1000 years with the medieval European heavenly clocks from the rivals, making it deep outliers in old technology.
Modern investigation: reconstruction of a lost talent
Research on the antikythera mechanism has intensified in recent decades, thanks to technological progress in imaging and 3D modeling. High -resolution and surface scan X -ray tomography (especially by Antikythera Mechanism Research Project) have highlighted the inscription and internal gear systems before the resting and internal gears.
In 2021, a team from the University College London (UCL) announced theoretical reconstruction of the entire front panel of the device using new charged texts. Their model suggests how all known works can be achieved by a single, portable box -shaped machine, incredible thumbnails and accuracy.
Where is this now: performance and ongoing exploration
Today, the remains of the Antikythera system are located in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, where part of the museum is dedicated to the pieces and copies. The original pieces are preserved under controlled conditions due to their fragility, but detailed reconstruction and 3D-miscreareers appear a lot worldwide at the world at museums and universities.
Meanwhile, new dives are running on the Antikythera Shipwreck website. Marine archaeologists, with advanced robotics and mapping technologies underwater, continue to detect the depth where the mechanism was found. There is hope that the extra parts of the device - or even similar devices - can still be hidden in silt and wait for the story to expand.
Why it does matter
Antikythera Tantra has broken the myth that there was a lack of advanced mechanical knowledge in old communities. It provides specific evidence that Greeks not only had a deep understanding of astronomical cycles, but also had mechanical crafts to model them with fantastic accuracy.
The existence indicates a lost descent of fully engineering - possibly destroyed in the fire of history or just not detected. Every new discovery brings us more closely to understand sophistication of a civilization that we thought we already know.
In short, the Antikythera mechanism is not just a relic - it is a message from the ancient world that reminds us that the story often suggests that it explains.
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