Thursday, April 28, 2011

The Antikythera Mechanism


Credit and Copyright: Wikipedia

Explanation: What is it? It was found at the bottom of the sea aboard an ancient Greek ship. Its seeming complexity has prompted decades of study, although some of its functions remained unknown. Recent X-rays of the device have now confirmed the nature of the Antikythera mechanism, and discovered several surprising functions. The Antikythera mechanism has been discovered to be a mechanical computer of an accuracy thought impossible in 80 BC, when the ship that carried it sank. Such sophisticated technology was not thought to be developed by humanity for another 1,000 years. Its wheels and gears create a portable orrery of the sky that predicted star and planet locations as well as lunar and solar eclipses. The Antikythera mechanism, shown above, is 33 centimeters high and similar in size to a large book.
from NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day

h/t
Tim Fowler

Added:
Antikythera clockwork computer may be even older than thought

2 comments:

Robin said...

The Bible says that there is nothing new under the Sun. Ten or fifteen thousand years is more than enough time to wipe out traces of a previous civilization. It is also barely a blink in time considering the age of the Earth. Why do we always assume we are the most advanced civilization? Its actually pretty arrogant when you really think about it.

Charles said...

I agree with you 100%. Velikovsky may not have been right on everything, but he was on to something. The planet has a shorter and more turbulent history than the conventional wisdom believes. Why did the Bronze Age come to an abrupt halt? That was an advanced civilization that is now shrouded in myth.