Watery Calculation: The Antikythera Mechanism

The Antikythera Mechanism is now known as the “World’s First Computer.” It’s discovery has changed the way researchers consider ancient man and the history of computing.

Since the beginning of time, man has looked heavenward. He has longed to explore the cosmos and unravel the untold mysteries they contain. Of course, this longing is still to be filled today, despite man having walked on the moon. In our modern age, technology has become an integral part of space exploration and scientific discovery, however, something was found in 1900 that pushed our understanding of space research as well as ancient man.

Something was found in 1900 that pushed our understanding of space research as well as ancient man.

The bright copper helmet broke from the surface of the water as the diver was lifted aboard the vessel. This particular ship, and her divers, were searching for sponges off the coast of Greece. They found something far more precious than sponges. As the first diver’s gear was removed, he recalled objects from the fathoms below. He spoke of horses, beautiful bronze sculptures and statues, and ancient remains of a ship. His captain initially wrote these stories off as “Raptures of the Deep,” common occurrences resulting in a drunkenness caused by the air mixture used (Killgrove, “15 Intriguing Facts…”). But this diver was proven correct.

After further divers reported similar findings, the crew notified Greek authorities who lead an archaeological expedition to the depths of the Aegean Sea in 1901 (Killgrove, “15 Intriguing Facts…”). They did indeed find a shipwreck of Roman origin which had been carrying a precious load of brilliant bronze statues and sculptures, jewelry, glass, pottery, and ancient coins. However, also found among the wreckage was a corroded chunk of bronze that began to disintegrate when brought from its saltwater grave (Kaplan, “The world’s oldest computer…”).

All of the artifacts eventually found a home in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, Greece, including the piece of bronze (Marchant, “Decoding the Antikythera…”). Many researchers concerned their study with the glass and pottery found onboard with little interest in the not-yet-world-changing find. That hunk of metal would later come to be known as the Antikythera Mechanism, and it changed the way ancient societies have been considered. Personally, I have been fascinated by this device ever since I first saw it on an episode of PBS’s NOVA about ancient computers. I was still a young child.

A certain writer, Erich von Daniken, first believed the Mechanism to be of value. He realized the sheer complexity of the device as a method to track the positions of heavenly bodies. He hypothesized that the device was brought from another realm by aliens on a spaceship. Of course, this notion was rejected, or rather ignored, by many at the time (Marchant, “Decoding the Antikythera…”).

Research on the Antikythera Mechanism resumed and reached mainstream experts in 1974 when physicist Derek de Solla Price issued a publication on the piece. He had studied the device for over two decades and, using x-ray technology, analyzed the construction and structure (Killgrove, “15 Intriguing Facts…”). Researchers discovered that the device was composed of 30 gears, each with fine teeth and thousands of teeth in all. The entire Mechanism was powered by one single hand-crank (Kaplan, “The world’s oldest computer…”).

Through his research, Derek de Solla Price discovered that the Antikythera Mechanism was the world’s first known computer. Given the age of the device, the Mechanism was the world’s first known analog computer (the only method by which to build computers at the time), in that it worked by mechanical means (Killgrove, “15 Intriguing Facts…”). The mathematical nature of the gears and their size, speed, teeth, etc., determined the final calculation.

Unfortunately, Derek de Solla Price passed away in 1983 and, due to the poor x-rays and nature of the research, did not determine how the device worked (Killgrove, “15 Intriguing Facts…”). His work largely sat idle until 2006 when Mike Edmuds from Cardiff University analyzed the Antikythera Mechanism using sophisticated CT scans that showed the inner-workings of the gears and even some inscriptions on the exterior (Marchant, “Decoding the Antikythera…”).

Together with de Solla Price’s research and the new scans, Mike Edmuds determined that the Mechanism was indeed used to determine the movements of heavenly bodies, specifically, using seven hands and multiple dials, the device tracked Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn (all able to be seen with the naked eye), the moon and its phases, the sun, solar and lunar eclipses, three calendars, and at least 42 festivals and events (including the Olympics) (Marchant, “Decoding the Antikythera…”) (Killgrove, “15 Intriguing Facts…”). The device operated with one single hand crank and fit within a box no bigger than a mantel clock. The Antikythera Mechanism was also incredibly accurate.

The Antikythera Mechanism was also incredibly accurate.

The sheer complexity of the device was mind-boggling. Richard Feynman, a physicist, described the Antikythera Mechanism: “[it was] so entirely different and strange that it is nearly impossible…it is some kind of machine with gear trains, very much like the inside of a modern wind-up alarm clock” (Killgrove, “15 Intriguing Facts…”). Up until this discovery, most scientists believed these skills to be beyond the ability of ancient Greeks and often credit 14th century Europeans with the first devices of this magnitude (Killgrove, “15 Intriguing Facts…”).

Who could have invented this device? How was it built? Why did they use it? Further research suggests that the Antikythera Mechanism was invented around 150 BC, probably on the Greek island of Rhodes (Garfinkel and Grunspan 20). A few writings from the time suggest that astronomer and inventor of Trigonometry, Hipperchus, invented the device and enlisted the help of shopsmith, Posidenius (Killgrove, “15 Intriguing Facts…”) (Marchant, “Decoding the Antikythera…”).

Although the purpose of the device is well known, the reason for it, or the owners of the Mechanism, still remains unknown. Some have suggested that it could have been used within a temple, a school, or perhaps owned by a rich family as a novelty item (Garfinkel and Grunspan 20). This particular Antikythera Mechanism appears to have been traveling north, towards Rome, possibly for a parade or event of Roman emperor, Julius Caesar (Killgrove, “15 Intriguing Facts…”).

Since 2006, further research has sought to replicate the device, although many experts debate how exactly the device functioned, given that pieces are still missing (Marchant, “Decoding the Antikythera…”). One inspired individual even succeeded in building a replica from LEGOs! His version is quite a bit larger than the original, but it is nonetheless impressive.

The significance of the Antikythera Mechanism is profound. Alexander Jones, a historian for the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World once said, “it would be hard to dispute that this is the single most information-rich object that has been uncovered by archaeologists from ancient times” (Kaplan, “The world’s oldest…”). The Mechanism has changed the way we look at ancient men. Perhaps not ancient Greece persay, however, often modern researchers view those who went before as less intelligent.

The Antikythera Mechanism shows us just the opposite. Ancient man saw the world around him and yearned to learn, explore, and discover their world. They recognized five planets able to be seen with the naked eye and “they came to believe that nature worked according to predefined rules, like a machine” (Marchant, “Decoding the Antikythera…”). They took the rules and laws they observed and created a machine that nearly perfectly predicted such events. Not only did that have the ability, but the creative thought, desire, and especially the skills to build such a device.

The Antikythera Mechanism shows us just the opposite. Ancient man saw the world around him and yearned to learn, explore, and discover their world.

Many researchers were surprised to discover such a complex device 1,400 years before Europe invented similar devices (in the 14th century). I’m not surprised at all. Ancient men, in 150 BC or before, were intelligent and continue to be so today. This is a concept that the Bible makes clear,

Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our Image, according to Our Likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” — Genesis 1:26

Since the beginning of creation, man has had the creativity of God and the desire to learn more about Him and how we are made in His Image. The Antikythera Mechanism is a testament to the ingenuity of man and speaks to the true biblical account.

For the Greeks who created the Mechanism, it was a tool. A tool to track the heavens, perhaps plan, and even keep track of social and cultural events. The “first known computer” was a tool much like our computers today. I use it as a tool to share the Gospel, which I invite you to read in its entirety.

For the Greeks who created the Mechanism, it was a tool.

The Antikythera Mechanism also presents another step towards modern computers. Here are the Greeks inventing a device to easily and quickly compute, store, and research the moments above.

As I’ve shared in the preceding weeks, need has driven technology forward and pushed men and women to invent new ways of meeting those needs. At first glance, the need for the Antikythera Mechanism may not be seen, but it prompted further research and development. Religiously, the Greeks may have believed it tracked ominous events. More practically, researching the movements of planets, the sun/moon, and stars, could have helped predict weather (Kaplan, “The world’s oldest…”). Today, I’m sure we see weather prediction as a need.

Additionally, the Antikythera Mechanism illustrates another important point: mankind’s need to explore. Humans seem naturally curious. Without a doubt, the device required careful study, not just of the laws and rules of space above, but of the mechanics and physics below. It required diligent study. We have always pushed the envelope and technology has enabled us to do so. The Greeks pushed to discover and communicate what they learned and applied it to inventions. We do the same today.

The Antikythera Mechanism is one of the most exciting discoveries in the history of computing and computer science. The device is amazingly complex and sophisticated. The Antikythera Mechanism is our third major milestone in the history of computing.

Works Cited

Garfinkel, Simson, and Rachel H. Grunspan. The Computer Book: from the Abacus to Artificial Intelligence, 250 Milestones in the History of Computer Science. Sterling, 2018.

Kaplan, Sarah. “The World’s Oldest Computer Is Still Revealing Its Secrets.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 14 June 2016, www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2016/06/14/the-worlds-oldest-computer-is-still-revealing-its-secrets/.

Killgrove, Kristina. “15 Intriguing Facts About the Antikythera Mechanism.” Mental Floss, Mental Floss, 10 June 2016, www.mentalfloss.com/article/81445/15-intriguing-facts-about-antikythera-mechanism.

Marchant, Jo. “Decoding the Antikythera Mechanism, the First Computer.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 1 Feb. 2015, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/decoding-antikythera-mechanism-first-computer-180953979/.