A new study has revealed that the Antikythera mechanism, an ancient Greek device discovered in a shipwreck off Antikythera in 1901, used the Greek lunar calendar rather than the Egyptian solar calendar, as previously believed. The mechanism, dating back around 2,200 years, is known as the world’s oldest computer and was used to track the movements of the sun, moon, and planets with unprecedented accuracy, reports Marine Insight.
About the device
The device, roughly the size of a shoebox, features intricate bronze gears and dials that enabled ancient users to analyze the cosmos. Its main component, the “calendar ring,” was designed to track the days of the year, with one hole for each day. However, due to the ring’s partial preservation, the exact number of days it was supposed to track remained unknown until recent research provided new insights.
In 2020, a team of researchers led by independent scholar Chris Budiselic used new X-ray images, measurements, and statistical analysis to prove that the mechanism most likely tracked 354 days, corresponding to the lunar calendar rather than a full solar year. This finding was supported by a recent study published in the Horological Journal on June 27, 2024.
Researchers at the University of Glasgow applied statistical modeling tools initially developed for detecting gravitational waves to the Antikythera mechanism. These approaches, first utilized by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), enabled the scientists to determine the precise position of missing holes in the calendar ring. Eventually, they found that the mechanism had 354 or 355 holes, which coincided with the Greek lunar calendar.
Graham Woan, an astrophysics professor at the University of Glasgow and research co-author, stated that the precision of the holes’ positioning would have required highly accurate measurement techniques and an incredibly steady hand to punch them. Woan added that it is a neat symmetry that they’ve adapted techniques to study the universe to understand more about a mechanism that helped people keep track of the cosmos nearly two millennia ago.
This discovery provides fresh insight into the complexity and sophistication of ancient Greek craftsmanship and timekeeping practices. Despite its ancient beginnings, the Antikythera mechanism continues to fascinate historians and enthusiasts alike, providing a glimpse into the extraordinary technological potential of ancient civilizations.
The Antikythera mechanism is significant beyond its historical worth; it was even portrayed as an essential artifact in the 2023 film “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” demonstrating its long-lasting cultural impact. As experts continue to explore the mechanism, each discovery deepens our grasp of ancient Greek inventiveness and their elaborate methods of viewing and documenting the universe.
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Source: Marine Insight
