The Antikythera Mechanism: Decoding the Universe in Antiquity

The Antikythera Mechanism is an ancient Greek analog astronomical device that is considered one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century. Discovered in 1901 in the Antikythera shipwreck off the coast of the Greek island Antikythera, the device dates back to around 100 BCE. The mechanism was originally housed in a wooden box and consisted of a complex system of gears and wheels. It was used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses for calendrical and astrological purposes. Turning a hand-crank, which would set the various gears and pointers in motion, likely, operated the Antikythera Mechanism. The device demonstrated an impressive level of technological sophistication for its time, and its existence challenged the prevailing view of ancient Greek technology. The Antikythera Mechanism provided insights into the advanced knowledge of astronomy and mathematics possessed by the ancient Greeks. The mechanism was able to track the movements of the sun, moon, a...