“a completely astonishing revelation”
If you haven’t heard of the Antikythera Mechanism before this will probably be more startling than the revealed seabed off Rathlin Island. The “technological marvel of antiquity” was discovered by sponge divers in 1901 near Antikythera, a small island off Greece’s south coast, and has perplexed and astonished researchers ever since. The complicated gearing mechanism is believed to have been constructed between 150-100BC. In 2005 a 8-tonne X-ray machine was transported to Greece to study the mechanism and the results, which have just been published in Nature, link the mechanism not just to scientific calculations, but to important cultural events. The report has also been picked up here and here. And there’s a fascinating video presentation at the Nature website well worth viewing.
The ancient Greeks? Why not the more obvious origin – Aliens, that er, wrote in Greek.
Good one, Mcgiff.
speakoss greekoss?
I remember I saw a documentary about this device on discovery channel a few years ago. It’s so interesting to see where the research has led since then.
Luciana
I’m glad someone else had heard of it. There was a danger of the comments zone being filled with only one-liners.
Now that they’ve got a better understanding of the mechanism, the attempt to build a replica stands a much better chance of success – that’s in the final linked video.
Pete,
Yes it’s quite fascinating. I found a bit of the documentary I watched about it, it was on the History Channel not Discovery < http://documentaries.videosift.com/video/The-Antikythera-mechanism>. I always thought perhaps it was related to the Burned library of Alexandria. It’s amazing the device and that video you posted shows a very cool computerised replica of it that should help the rebuilding process.
Great Post.
Pete, I can’t contribute to this other than to say I knew of the device from many years ago – but it was on Arthur C Clarke’s Mysterious World that I first learned of it!
I don’t think it qualifies me to comment any further!!
Luciana
Cheers.
Raven
Well hopefully you’ve gotten some more information on the mechanism from the links.
RIP Arthur C and his Mysterious World.
It wasn’t all crystal skulls. ;o)
As we are talking about ancient Greece etc….
Any of you folks ever notice the similarities between the ‘Turoe Stone’ in Galway and the ‘Oomphalus Stone’ in Greece (probably spelt wrong, but Google it)?
The carvings are remakably similar.
I never did, Greagoir, but as a child I was fascinated by Atlantis myths and tales of the fairies riding out to a land over the water and under the waves.
Pete, I’d never heard of yon mechanism, but when I finally got a chance last night to watch the NATURE clip I was completely captivated. Thank you. A first rung on humanity’s ladder to the stars — what genius, so early on!
You’re very welcome, susan.
It’s a great video of the mechanism.