Photo by ©2008 Tony Freeth
In a paper to be published July 31, 2008 in the journal Nature, project members of the Antikythera Mechanism Research Project report on the latest discoveries about the writing on the dials and plates of the remarkable astronomical tool, the Antikythera Mechanism.
Computed Radiography Image of Fragment A, Antikythera Mechanism
Photo Credit: © Antikythera Mechanism Research Project.
The Antikythera Mechanism is a curious mass of corroded metal, thin flat round bronze plates and gears with triangular teeth, marked with Greek letters and symbols. It was discovered in 1900 by sponge divers off the coast of the Greek island of Antikythera, within the remains of a shipwreck sunk ca. 50-80 BC.
Since the 1970s, various imaging techniques beginning with x-rays have been used to identify the gear configuration and reconstruct a working model. Beginning in 2005, the Antikythera Mechanism Research Project ramped up the imaging process, and they report today that they've been able to read the writing on the plates and dials. Among the things they've discovered is a dial on the back which is explicitly for tracking the Olympic games, illustrated in the computer reconstruction above.
The Antikythera Mechanism Research Project team allowed me access to a handful of great photographs, so click on through and read all about the new discoveries and history of this fascinating object.
- New Light on the Antikythera Mechanism, a photo essay
- Antikythera Mechanism Research Project, where you'll find lots more information about the project
- Streaming Video from Nature: The Antikythera Mechanism, an interview with members of the AMRP
- Freeth, Tony, Alexander Jones, John M. Steele, and Yanis Bitsakis 2008 Calendars with Olympiad display and eclipse prediction on the Antikythera Mechanism. Nature 454:614-617. Not available until tomorrow.
Comments
I never knew of this mechanism or its history. You learn something new every day! Thanks!
That is so cool!!! Thank you, Kris! I’ve enjoyed the mystery of the Antikythera Mechanism ever since I first heard about it, years ago!
How completely cool. This is what I love about science…as we learn more and create new tools, we can go back to old mysteries and solve them.
Wow, this is neat! I’d never heard of this. Thanks so much for the great post!
Add me to the list of those who hadn’t heard of this device before. Fascinating. I love hearing stories about how ancient people weren’t as ignorant as modern man seems to think.
Wow–I remember hearing about this back in HS (nearly as long ago as the Mechanism’s manufacture, mind you), but hadn’t seen an update in decades. Thanks, Kris!
interesting!!!
thanks for the visit!
There is a cool video on Antikythera mechanism at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YuXjg41UwY
Boy, you HAVE been busy! I have known about the “Gear Box” for years but you laid it out in the best way possible. Good job and keep us informed of future development.
Dick
Remarkable instrument. A remindr of how long the Olympic games have been going on.