Antikythera Mechanism: The ancient 'computer' that simply shouldn't exist - BBC REEL

Summary

The Antikythera Mechanism, discovered in a shipwreck off Greece, revolutionized our understanding of ancient technology. This 2000-year-old device, once considered a corroded lump, revealed intricate gears and inscriptions, indicating its use as a sophisticated astronomical calculator. The mechanism, which predicted celestial positions and eclipses, has led experts to rethink the history of technology, suggesting a more advanced ancient world. Modern x-ray technology has unveiled its secrets, and the quest for similar devices continues, highlighting the non-linear progression of technological development.

Takeaways

• 😲 The Antikythera Mechanism, discovered in a shipwreck off Antikythera, Greece, revolutionized our understanding of ancient technology.
• 🔍 Initially dismissed as a corroded lump, the mechanism was later found to contain precision gear wheels, challenging the notion that ancient Greeks didn't have such technology.
• 🌐 This 2000-year-old device is a complex astronomical calculator, predicting the positions of celestial bodies like the sun, moon, and planets.
• 🤔 The purpose of creating such a sophisticated machine by the ancient Greeks remains a mystery, but it suggests a high level of scientific and mechanical understanding.
• 🔧 The mechanism's advanced features, like predicting eclipses and lunar phases, indicate a significant leap in the history of science and technology.
• 🧩 The device is fragmented into 82 pieces, with much of it missing, yet modern technology, including 3D X-ray, has helped uncover its secrets.
• 📜 Recent X-ray analysis revealed inscriptions that act as a user guide, offering insights into the mechanism's operation and the ancient Greek cosmos.
• 🛠️ The Antikythera Mechanism's discovery has prompted a reevaluation of the history of technology, pushing back the timeline of technological advancement.
• 🌟 Theoretical and physical models of the mechanism are being recreated using ancient Greek techniques, potentially revealing further secrets.
• 🚀 The potential for other similar devices exists, with shipwrecks in the Mediterranean offering hope for future discoveries.
• ⏳ The story of the Antikythera Mechanism highlights the non-linear nature of technological development, with periods of progress followed by loss and rediscovery.

Q & A

What was the initial reaction to the discovery of the Antikythera mechanism?

The initial reaction was astonishment and disbelief, as the discovery led to a complete rethinking of the history of technology, especially considering the sophistication of the device in ancient Greece.

Where was the Antikythera mechanism discovered and what was its initial appearance?

The Antikythera mechanism was discovered off the tiny island of Antikythera in Greece by sponge divers. Initially, it appeared as a corroded lump about the size of a large dictionary.

What was the significance of the gear wheels found inside the Antikythera mechanism?

The gear wheels were significant because they indicated a level of technological sophistication that was not expected from ancient Greece, challenging the conventional understanding of the era's technological capabilities.

What is the primary function of the Antikythera mechanism?

The Antikythera mechanism is a dedicated calculating machine that uses bronze gear wheels to calculate the cycles of the cosmos, including the positions of the sun, moon, and planets against the stars.

How did the ancient Greeks use the Antikythera mechanism?

The ancient Greeks likely used the Antikythera mechanism to calculate and predict astronomical positions and events, such as the position of the moon in five years, by turning a handle.

What technological advancements have been used to study the Antikythera mechanism in recent decades?

Modern technology such as 3D X-ray technology has been used to study the Antikythera mechanism, revealing its internal gear wheels and inscriptions that were previously hidden.

What new insights were gained from the 3D X-ray analysis of the Antikythera mechanism?

The 3D X-ray analysis revealed all the gear wheels in three dimensions, new inscriptions, and a user guide hidden within the corroded bronze, providing a wealth of new information about the mechanism's operation.

What did the inscriptions on the Antikythera mechanism reveal about its functionality?

The inscriptions, written in ancient Greek, provided detailed instructions on how the mechanism worked, including its ability to predict eclipses and track the variable motion of the moon.

How has the understanding of the Antikythera mechanism influenced the perception of the history of technology?

The discovery and analysis of the Antikythera mechanism have forced a reevaluation of the history of technology, suggesting that the Greeks had a more advanced technological capability than previously thought.

What are the prospects of finding another device like the Antikythera mechanism?

There is hope of finding another device like the Antikythera mechanism, possibly through the exploration of shipwrecks in the Mediterranean, as diving technology advances and allows for deeper exploration.

What broader implications does the Antikythera mechanism have for our understanding of technological development?

The Antikythera mechanism suggests that the history of technological development is not linear and that there have been periods of advancement followed by loss and遗忘, challenging the assumption that technology always progresses steadily.

Outlines

00:00

😲 The Antikythera Mechanism: Rethinking Ancient Technology

The Antikythera Mechanism, discovered in a shipwreck off the island of Antikythera in Greece, has revolutionized our understanding of ancient technology. Initially dismissed as a corroded lump, the device was later found to contain precision gears, challenging the belief that gear wheels did not exist in ancient Greece. This sophisticated machine, dating back 2000 years, is a dedicated calculator that models astronomical cycles, predicting the positions of celestial bodies. Its discovery has led experts to reconsider the history of technology, as it demonstrates the ancient Greeks' ability to mechanize scientific theories. Despite much of the device being missing, modern technology, particularly 3D X-ray imaging, has unveiled new inscriptions and secrets, revealing it as a user guide for the cosmos, predicting eclipses and lunar motions. The Antikythera Mechanism stands as a testament to an advanced technological past that was once thought to be beyond the capabilities of the ancient world.

05:01

🌟 The Legacy and Future of the Antikythera Mechanism

The impact of the Antikythera Mechanism extends beyond its initial discovery, as it prompts a reevaluation of the history of technological advancement. The device's intricate design and functionality suggest that there may have been similar, yet undiscovered, technological marvels from the ancient world. The possibility of finding more such mechanisms lies in the exploration of shipwrecks, especially with the advancement of deep-sea diving technology. The story of the Antikythera Mechanism teaches us that the progression of technology is not linear but rather marked by periods of rapid development and subsequent decline or loss. It challenges the modern assumption of continuous technological progress, illustrating that the history of our technological world is far more complex and nuanced than previously believed. The ongoing study and replication of the Antikythera Mechanism using ancient Greek techniques, along with the potential for new discoveries, hold the promise of further insights into our technological heritage.

Keywords

💡Antikythera Mechanism

The Antikythera Mechanism is an ancient Greek analogue computer used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses for calendrical and astrological purposes. It is a central theme of the video, demonstrating the advanced technology of the ancient world. Discovered in a shipwreck off the island of Antikythera, it challenges our understanding of the history of technology with its sophisticated gear system.

💡Astronomical Theories

Astronomical theories in the context of the video refer to the ancient Greeks' understanding of celestial bodies and their movements. These theories were not just conceptual but were also mechanized through the Antikythera Mechanism, which could calculate and predict the positions of the sun, moon, and planets. This mechanization was a significant advancement in the history of science and technology.

💡Gear Wheels

Gear wheels are a mechanical component consisting of a wheel with teeth that mesh with another set of teeth in a second wheel, allowing for motion and force transmission. In the video, the discovery of precision gear wheels within the Antikythera Mechanism was shocking because such a complex mechanical device was not expected from ancient Greece, showcasing their advanced engineering capabilities.

💡Cosmos

In the video, the term 'cosmos' refers to the celestial system, including the sun, moon, and planets as they relate to the stars. The Antikytherra Mechanism was designed to calculate the cycles of the cosmos, providing insights into the ancient Greeks' understanding of the universe and their ability to model its movements.

💡X-ray Technology

X-ray technology is a non-destructive testing method that uses electromagnetic radiation to penetrate materials and reveal internal structures. In the script, X-ray technology, especially 3D X-ray, was crucial in revealing the secrets of the Antikythera Mechanism, such as the hidden gears and inscriptions that provided insights into its function and use.

💡Inscriptions

Inscriptions are written texts or symbols inscribed on various materials. In the context of the video, the new inscriptions found on the fragments of the Antikythera Mechanism served as a user guide, providing a deeper understanding of the device's operation and its role in representing the ancient Greek cosmos.

💡Mechanization

Mechanization refers to the process of using machinery to perform tasks that were previously done manually. The video highlights the mechanization of scientific theories through the Antikythera Mechanism, which allowed for the automatic calculation of astronomical positions, a revolutionary concept at the time.

💡Shipwreck

A shipwreck is the remains of a ship that has wrecked, typically on the seafloor. The script mentions the shipwreck off the island of Antikythera as the site where the mechanism was discovered, which led to a paradigm shift in our understanding of ancient technological capabilities.

💡Archaeologists

Archaeologists are scientists who study human history through the excavation and analysis of artifacts. In the video, archaeologists have been captivated by the Antikythera Mechanism since its discovery, contributing to the ongoing research and understanding of this ancient technological marvel.

💡3D X-ray

3D X-ray technology is an advanced imaging technique that provides a three-dimensional view of the internal structure of an object. The video describes how this technology was instrumental in separating and analyzing the gear wheels of the Antikythera Mechanism, revealing new dimensions of its complexity.

💡Calendrical

Calendrical refers to anything related to calendars and the calculation of time. The Antikythera Mechanism had calendrical functions, as it could predict the positions of celestial bodies which would have been important for determining dates and times for religious and agricultural events in ancient Greece.

Highlights

The Antikythera mechanism, discovered 120 years ago, has forced a complete rethink of the history of technology.

The mechanism is an extraordinarily sophisticated machine from ancient Greece, challenging historical understanding.

Initially dismissed as a corroded lump, the Antikythera mechanism was later found to contain precision gears.

The discovery of gear wheels in 1902 was shocking, as ancient Greek technology was not expected to include such components.

The Antikythera mechanism is a dedicated calculating machine, predicting astronomical positions.

The mechanism could calculate the position of celestial bodies up to ten years in advance.

The creation of the Antikythera mechanism raises questions about the ancient Greeks' technological capabilities.

Modern technology, including 3D X-ray, has significantly advanced understanding of the Antikythera mechanism.

X-ray data revealed new inscriptions, offering a user guide within the corroded bronze.

The Antikythera mechanism predicted eclipses and followed the variable notion of the moon.

The mechanism's inscriptions in ancient Greek provide insights into its operation.

The Antikythera mechanism displayed the ancient Greek cosmos in a ring system.

The discovery has prompted a reevaluation of the history of technology, suggesting an earlier and more sophisticated technological era.

Arthur C. Clarke suggested that if the ancient Greeks had fully understood their technology, they might have reached the moon within 300 years.

Researchers are building a physical model of the Antikythera mechanism using ancient Greek techniques.

Shipwrecks may hold the key to discovering more devices like the Antikythera Mechanism.

The history of technological development is not linear and can be lost and forgotten, as suggested by the Antikythera Mechanism.

Transcripts

When we first looked at the results, it was astonishing.

We've had to rethink the history of technology completely as a result of this single object.

It's such a clever, extraordinarily sophisticated machine, completely. Completely shocking for

ancient Greece.

120 years ago, sponge divers discovered a shipwreck off the tiny island of Antikythera

in Greece, and what they found changed our understanding of human history forever.

Among the treasure trove were marble statues, elegant vases,

glistening jewelry and ancient coins and what looked to be a hunk of corroded metal that

no one knew quite what to do with.

It was not recognised at all as being anything interesting when it was discovered, it was

just a corroded lump about the size of a large dictionary.

But when in 1902, it was discovered that there were gear wheels inside it, everyone suddenly

got rather excited.

This is the first shock because anything from ancient Greece simply shouldn't have gear

wheels.

These were precision gears with teeth about a millimetre long.

And this was just completely, completely shocking.

And the Antikythera mechanism has captured the imagination of archaeologists, mathematicians

and scientists ever since.

It's a dedicated, calculating machine and it uses bronze gear wheels to calculate the

cycles of the cosmos - the cosmos being the sun, the moon, the planets against the stars

and wind it forward 10 years and you can know where the sun and the moon is going to be,

where the planets are.

But the question of why the ancient Greeks created such a device has plagued experts

since its discovery.

I think it was conceived as a calculating machine that would calculate the theories

they had.

They had astronomical theories but could calculate those at the turn of a

handle.

So it would it would demonstrate how you could look ahead, say: 'What's the position of the

moon going to be in five years time?'.

You would turn the handle, it would tell you almost immediately. This is a massive step

forward in the history of science and technology.

Something we take for granted now, but in those

days that the idea that your scientific theories could be mechanised, the predictions could

be mechanised was absolutely astonishing.

Now kept in a museum in Greece, the 2000-year-old device is split into 82 fragments and much

of it is missing.

But in the years since this discovery, modern technology has vastly advanced what we know

about the mechanism.

In the 1970s, a team x-rayed the device and the first secrets were revealed, dozens of

cogs hidden within it.

But it wasn't until 3D X-ray technology came along that they could separate these guys

out.

We took an eight ton x-ray machine to Athens, installed it in the museum, and we took x-ray

data of all the 82 surviving fragments of the mechanism.

And when we first looked at the results, it was astonishing because it showed us not only

all the gear wheels in three dimensions so we could separate them, but it showed us all

these new inscrip tions in the fragments as well.

A new world of secrets was revealed, a user guide hidden within the folds of corroded

bronze.

This was a wonderful revelation. Out of that data has come nearly all the breakthroughs

in recent decades, came the discovery that it predicted eclipses, that it followed the

variable notion of the moon.

Previous experts had been able to model the back of the mechanism up until this point.

But these inscriptions helped Tony and his colleagues with their latest model, which

focuses on the front of the device.

There's thousands of text characters in ancient Greek which tell us how it works.

It displayed the ancient Greek cosmos - the sun, moon and planets - in a sort of ring

system. It brought back the history of technology to a much earlier time.

It is completely astonishing that the ancient Greeks firstly had the conception of making

this technology and secondly the ability to actually physically make it.

We've had to rethink the history of technology completely as

a result of this single object.

The great Arthur C. Clarke said if the ancient Greeks had understood the capabilities of

the technology they created, then they would have reached the moon within 300

years, and we'd now been exploring the nearest stars.

Now Tony and his team will take their theoretical model and use ancient Greek techniques to

build a physical model of the mechanism.

And modern technology may reveal more secrets of the ancient world still.

There were certainly, in the ancient world, more devices like the Antikythera Mechanism.

It wasn't unique.

I think the only real hope of finding another machine

like the Antikythera Mechanism is from a shipwreck.

The hopeful thing is there are thousands of shipwrecks down there under the Mediterranean.

Some of them at very deep levels. But the diving technology is advancing so much that

it's becoming possible to explore quite deep wrecks.

To understand the technological world we live in today, we need to understand its history,

what the Antikythera Mechanism tells us is that that history is different than what we

thought, that it started earlier, that it developed in this incredible flourishing of

this sophisticated technology, and then it seemed to go backwards.

We kind of take it for granted, I think, in the modern world that technology will just

keep on advancing.

But throughout history, this hasn't always been the case.

The history of technological development doesn't go in a straight line.

It develops in fits and starts and sometimes gets lost and forgotten.