The Antikythera Mechanism
The world's oldest known analog computer.
Discovered in a shipwreck off the coast of the Greek island Antikythera, this incredibly complex bronze mechanism used dozens of interlocking gears to predict astronomical positions and eclipses decades in advance.
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- It was so far ahead of its time that similar gear complexity did not appear again until astronomical clocks in 14th-century Europe.
- It even had a dial to track the four-year cycle of ancient Greek athletic games, including the Olympics.
- The device was likely built by scientists associated with the school of Hipparchus in Rhodes or Archimedes in Syracuse.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was The Antikythera Mechanism?
Discovered in a shipwreck off the coast of the Greek island Antikythera, this incredibly complex bronze mechanism used dozens of interlocking gears to predict astronomical positions and eclipses decades in advance.
When did The Antikythera Mechanism happen?
The Antikythera Mechanism: c. 150–100 BCE.
Why does The Antikythera Mechanism matter?
The world's oldest known analog computer.
Sources & Further Reading
Cite This Page
AskHistoryAI. “The Antikythera Mechanism.” AskHistoryAI — Interactive Timeline of Everything. Updated 2026-09-11. https://askhistoryai.com/event/tech-antikythera/
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