Discovered in 1901 in a Roman-era shipwreck off the coast of Greece, the Antikythera Mechanism is considered the world's first analog computer. Built between 100-70 BC, this ancient marvel contained over 30 precision bronze gears that could predict astronomical events, track the Olympic Games, and calculate celestial positions with astonishing accuracy. Its technological sophistication wouldn't be seen again for another 1,500 years.
Turn the crank to see how the gears of the Antikythera Mechanism would have worked together. The primary wheel drives all the subsidiary gears in precise mathematical ratios, allowing the device to track celestial cycles.
The Antikythera Mechanism used an ingenious system of at least 30 precision bronze gears. The largest gear, the main drive wheel, was about 13 cm in diameter and had 223 teeth. When rotated, it drove a complex train of gears that tracked various astronomical cycles.
Current position: 0° | Gear ratio: 1:1
The Antikythera Mechanism could predict various astronomical events with remarkable precision. Enter a date to see what this ancient computer could tell you about the heavens.
Enter a date and click "Calculate" to see what the Antikythera Mechanism would have predicted.
Explore the internal structure of the Antikythera Mechanism. Hover over gears to see their function and relationship to other components.
The story of the Antikythera Mechanism spans more than two millennia, from its creation to its discovery and ongoing analysis using cutting-edge technology.
The Antikythera Mechanism was constructed, most likely on the island of Rhodes, which was known as a center of astronomical, mathematical, and engineering knowledge. The craftsmanship required precision metalworking skills that were exceptional for the time.
The Roman ship carrying the mechanism sank near the island of Antikythera, between the Peloponnese and Crete. The ship was likely a merchant vessel carrying luxury goods from the Eastern Mediterranean to Rome.
Greek sponge divers discovered the wreck at a depth of about 45 meters. Among the many artifacts recovered were marble statues, pottery, glassware, jewelry, and what appeared to be corroded lumps of metal - the first fragments of the Antikythera Mechanism.
Archaeologist Valerios Stais noticed that one of the recovered fragments contained what appeared to be a gear wheel. This was the first recognition that the corroded artifacts might be parts of some kind of sophisticated device.
British physicist Derek J. de Solla Price began studying the mechanism in detail, later collaborating with Greek nuclear physicist Charalampos Karakalos. Their work resulted in the first detailed analysis using X-rays and gamma rays, revealing the internal structure of the device.
An international team of researchers used advanced imaging techniques including high-resolution X-ray tomography to reveal previously hidden details of the mechanism's interior. These scans revealed inscriptions and structures that had been invisible before.
Researchers deciphered more of the inscriptions on the mechanism, revealing it to be a complex astronomical calculator capable of predicting the positions of the sun, moon, and planets, as well as the timing of eclipses and ancient Greek festivals including the Olympics.
Further analysis revealed that the mechanism was even more sophisticated than previously thought, with functions for predicting the color of eclipses and other celestial phenomena. Researchers also determined that the mechanism likely had a forecast function rather than just tracking past events.
Research continues with increasingly sophisticated technologies and reconstruction efforts. Computer models and physical replicas have been built to better understand how the complete mechanism would have functioned.
Now that you've learned about the Antikythera Mechanism, try this quiz to test your understanding of this ancient marvel.