Antikythera Mechanism

In the early 1900's a wreckage off the coast of the island of Antikythera of a Roman Merchant vessel was found. It carried many Greek treasures. One small treasure was ignored as a small clump of something. Apparently the clump fell apart and revealed a machine of unknown use. It took 50 years before someone took a close look at it and understood what it was used for. A calendar. Astronomical, as usual. It took still another 50 years for modern technology to develop a way for the Antikythera Mechanism to be studied in its entirety. Modern imaging tech allowed for a precise digital recreation to be made. What they found is extraordinary. The mechanism is essentially a calendar made around 150 BC that was more advanced than the Wallingford clock (pic after the jump) that was made in the 1400's. It showed astronomical events as expected but also showed when the Olympiads were held. To put this in perspective, this is equivalent to us bringing a laptop to help King Arthur win his battles at around 500 AD.

The first part of the vid is here, second after the jump. It may seem a bit boring but its quite amazing, not to mention Archimedes may have been involved.




Second Part


Wallingford Clock