Antikythera mechanism
A bronze 'computer' that predicted eclipses decades ahead
In 1901 sponge divers raised a lump of geared bronze from a Roman-era shipwreck. It was a Greek device of the 2nd century BC that computed planetary positions, eclipses and even the years of the Olympic Games. Nothing as complex reappeared until the 14th century.
Wikipedia (Russian) · Wikipedia (English) · 2nd century BC
Did you know
The oldest known analogue computer is over 2,000 years old. The bronze gears of the Antikythera mechanism predicted eclipses, and nothing as intricate was built again for more than a thousand years, until medieval astronomical clocks. Share →
The ancient Greek 'computer' had a dial for the Olympics. One of the Antikythera mechanism's scales tracked the four-year cycle of the Panhellenic games, a calendar of the great sporting events. Share →
The greatest find from the Antikythera wreck went unnoticed at first. Bronze statues came up in 1901, but only in 1902 did archaeologist Valerios Stais spot a gear wheel in a dull lump of corroded metal. Share →
Meanwhile around the world (±25 years)
Middle East
- 167 BC The Maccabean Revolt — 17 years earlier
Africa
- 149 BC–146 BC Third Punic War — 1 year later
Asia
- c. 138 BC–126 BC Zhang Qian's mission to the West — 12 years later
Alive at the time
- Emperor Wu of Han (aged 6)
- Cato the Elder (aged 84)
- Zhang Qian (aged 14)