Antikythera Mechanism

Q: What is the Antikythera mechanism?

The Antikythera mechanism is understood as the first analog computer in history, dating to c. 205-60 BCE.

Q: Why is it called the Antikythera mechanism?

It is known as the Antikythera mechanism because it was discovered off the coast of the Greek island of Antikythera in 1901 in the wreckage of an ancient merchant ship.

Q: What did the Antikythera mechanism do?

The Antikythera mechanism predicted the positions of the sun, moon, and planets in the past or future, as well as eclipses, the seasons, and other celestial events. It also told time and regulated sunrise and sunset.

Q: When was the Antikythera mechanism discovered?

The Antikythera mechanism was discovered in 1901 in the wreckage of an ancient shipwreck off the coast of the island of Antikythera by sponge divers. Its significance was not recognized until May 1902. Between 1905 and 2021, the meaning, function, and purpose of the device have been systematically investigated.

Joshua J. Mark

Definition

The Antikythera mechanism (also known as the Antikythera Device), dated to the late 2nd century/early 1st century BCE (roughly 205-60 BCE) is understood as the world's first analog computer, created to accurately calculate the position of the sun, moon, and planets. It was found in 1901 off the Greek island of Antikythera, giving it its name.

More about: Antikythera Mechanism

Timeline

c. 205 BCE - c. 60 BCE
Probable dates for the construction of the Antikythera mechanism.
17 May 1902 CE
The Antikythera Mechanism is discovered by Greek archaeologist Valerios Stais in a workroom of the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. The device was found in a shipwreck in 1900 and objects recovered but the mechanism was only a lump of corroded metal until Stais noticed it had a gear wheel.