I for one welcome our greeks overlords

[<RJMC>]

http://io9.com/5441889/advanced-imaging-reveals-a-computer-1500-years-ahead-of-its-time

X-rays and advanced photography have uncovered the true complexity of the mysterious Antikythera mechanism, a device so astonishing that its discovery is like finding a functional Buick in medieval Europe.

In 1900, some divers found the wreck of a Roman vessel off the Greek island of Antikythera. Among the other treasures remanded to the Greek government was an unassuming corroded lump. Some time later, the lump fell apart, revealing a damaged machine of unknown purpose, with some large gears and many smaller cogs, plus a few engraved words in Greek. Early studies suggested it was some type of astronomical time-keeping device – researcher Derek J. de Solla Price laid the groundwork by establishing initial tooth counts and suggesting that the device followed the Metonic cycle, a 235-month pattern commonly used to predict eclipses in the ancient world.

The full function and beauty of the Antikythera device remained hidden until recent studies subjected it to more advanced imaging techniques. First, it was photographed using a technique that exposed the surfaces to varying lighting patterns. This created different levels of contrast that allowed the researchers to read far more of the inscribed Greek text than was previously possible. Then, x-ray imaging was used to create full 3-D computer models of the mechanism, which revealed for the first time some of the more complex and detailed gear interactions. The Greek National Archaeological Museum's discovery of some boxes filled with 82 additional mechanism fragments added new information as well.

The findings, published in Nature, are probably best described as "mind blowing." Devices with this level of complexity were not seen again for almost 1,500 years, and the Antikythera mechanism's compactness actually bests the later designs. Probably built around 150 B.C., the Antikythera mechanism can perform a number of functions just by turning a crank on the side.

aristoteles: did you make it run crysis?

archimedes: yeah but runs like crap,we may need another atri graphics gear

aristoteles: nah get a hephisdia graphics gear

archimedes: maybe if you take out all those porn gears..

aristoteles: hey dont mess up whit my busty nymphs series!

 

[Anthraxxx]

I bet it's part of a time machine....

 

[Shakermaker]

I saw that thing when I was in Greece two years ago.

It is 'simply' a clock / calendar thingy if you ask me. Which is quite amazing since mechanical clocks weren't found in Europe again until the late Middle Ages.

 

[Tyguy]

what kind of batteries does it use?

 

[kupocake]

High budget disaster movie involving this and the myth of Pandora in 3... 2... 1...

 

[Shakermaker]

what kind of batteries does it use?

It uses a spring most likely. Just wind it up regularly and possibly calibrate it during certain times of the year like solstices and such.

 

[<RJMC>]

High budget disaster movie involving this and the myth of Pandora in 3... 2... 1...

"nicolas cage in the next summer movie

nicolas cage: we have to find the other pieces quicly before they do*uses psiquick powers to push bad guys*

the search of pandora"

 

[The Monkey]

Wasn't it Roman?

 

[Shakermaker]

Wasn't it Roman?

Nope, it says 'Made in Corinth'. Sort of ...

The mystery of who built the Antikythera mechanism remains. It has been linked to renowned ancient inventor Archimedes by the writings of Cicero, but this particular device was built after Archimedes' death. Still, the engraved words revealed by the new photos pinpoint the device's origin to Corinth, or possibly Corinthian colonies. Sicily was such a colony, and the Sicilian city of Syracuse was Archimedes' headquarters. The researchers theorize that the Antikythera mechanism is based on an Archimedian design, and might even have been built by a workshop carrying on his technological tradition.

It was probably Roman war loot though when it sunk to the bottom of the Mediterranean.

 

[The Monkey]

Nope, it says 'Made in Corinth'. Sort of ...

"In 1900, some divers found the wreck of a Roman vessel."

Now, I assume that referring to the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic or the Roman Empire and not some Greek colonies in present day Italy. Thus it's Roman, not Greek.

 

[Shakermaker]

"In 1900, some divers found the wreck of a Roman vessel."

Now, I assume that referring to the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic or the Roman Empire and not some Greek colonies in present day Italy. Thus it's Roman, not Greek.

Quoted again for emphasis:

The engraved words revealed by the new photos pinpoint the device's origin to Corinth, or possibly Corinthian colonies. Sicily was such a colony, and the Sicilian city of Syracuse was Archimedes' headquarters.

Say you fly from Italy to Sweden with Alitalia. Your plane crashes and 2000 years in the future archaeologists find its wreckage. In it is your Nintendo DSi which clearly says 'Made in Japan'. People will interpret it as a Japanese device, not an Italian one even though it is found in the remains of an Italian plane.

 

[The Monkey]

Ah, should've read more carefully.

 

[Sulkdodds]

This is really old.

 

[hot564231]

Its just a piece of the battlestar galactica

 

[Dog--]

This is really old.

Oh Sulk! <3

 

[Remus]

This is really old.

Its just a piece of the battlestar galactica

 

[Xevrex]

I don't see how something like this didn't diffuse. For such a large technological advancement that's a millenium ahead of its time, it's quite surprising they didn't employ something like this for other uses. To think how far more advanced we could have been today if we had used that tech back then.

 

[Raziaar]

Early studies suggested it was some type of astronomical time-keeping device – researcher Derek J. de Solla Price laid the groundwork by establishing initial tooth counts and suggesting that the device followed the Metonic cycle, a 235-month pattern commonly used to predict eclipses in the ancient world.

I wonder who the poor sap was who saw an eclipse and said to himself, "HOLY SHIT THAT WAS AWESOME. I'm going to keep track of how many days it takes for another one to come."

19 years later...

 

[DEATH eVADER]

what kind of batteries does it use?

Lithium Ion I believe