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Decoding the ancient Greek astronomical calculator known as the Antikythera Mechanism

Author

Listed:
  • T. Freeth

    (Cardiff University, School of Physics and Astronomy, The Parade
    Images First Ltd)

  • Y. Bitsakis

    (Astronomy and Mechanics, Panepistimiopolis
    Centre for History and Palaeography, National Bank of Greece Cultural Foundation)

  • X. Moussas

    (Astronomy and Mechanics, Panepistimiopolis)

  • J. H. Seiradakis

    (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki)

  • A. Tselikas

    (Centre for History and Palaeography, National Bank of Greece Cultural Foundation)

  • H. Mangou

    (National Archaeological Museum of Athens)

  • M. Zafeiropoulou

    (National Archaeological Museum of Athens)

  • R. Hadland

    (X-Tek Systems Ltd, Tring Business Centre)

  • D. Bate

    (X-Tek Systems Ltd, Tring Business Centre)

  • A. Ramsey

    (X-Tek Systems Ltd, Tring Business Centre)

  • M. Allen

    (X-Tek Systems Ltd, Tring Business Centre)

  • A. Crawley

    (X-Tek Systems Ltd, Tring Business Centre)

  • P. Hockley

    (X-Tek Systems Ltd, Tring Business Centre)

  • T. Malzbender

    (Hewlett-Packard Laboratories)

  • D. Gelb

    (Hewlett-Packard Laboratories)

  • W. Ambrisco

    (Foxhollow Technologies Inc.)

  • M. G. Edmunds

    (Cardiff University, School of Physics and Astronomy, The Parade)

Abstract

Planetary gears The Antikythera Mechanism is an intricate bronze construction discovered damaged and fragmented in the wreck of a cargo ship off the Greek island of Antikythera in 1900. Made towards the end of the second century BC, it contains 30 bronze gear wheels and many astronomical inscriptions. The mechanism is technically more complex than any known device for at least a millennium afterwards. It acted as a lunar–solar calendar, but its specific functions have remained controversial. Now a joint British–Greek team has reconstructed the device based on surface imaging and X-ray tomography of the surviving fragments. The reconstruction shows how the gears worked, and doubles the number of deciphered inscriptions. The Mechanism seems to have been a sophisticated predictor for the Sun/Moon/Earth system, and can justifiably be claimed as the world's oldest known analogue computer.

Suggested Citation

  • T. Freeth & Y. Bitsakis & X. Moussas & J. H. Seiradakis & A. Tselikas & H. Mangou & M. Zafeiropoulou & R. Hadland & D. Bate & A. Ramsey & M. Allen & A. Crawley & P. Hockley & T. Malzbender & D. Gelb &, 2006. "Decoding the ancient Greek astronomical calculator known as the Antikythera Mechanism," Nature, Nature, vol. 444(7119), pages 587-591, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:444:y:2006:i:7119:d:10.1038_nature05357
    DOI: 10.1038/nature05357
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