Greek Computer

[Minimalist]

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=838112006

FOR decades, researchers have been baffled by the intricate bronze mechanism of wheels and dials created 80 years before the birth of Christ.

The "Antikythera Mechanism" was discovered damaged and fragmented on the wreck of a cargo ship off the tiny Greek island of Antikythera in 1900.

Now, a joint British-Greek research team has found a hidden ancient Greek inscription on the device, which it thinks could unlock the mystery.

The team believes the Antikythera Mechanism may be the world's oldest computer, used by the Greeks to predict the motion of the planets.

[Beagle]

After all these years - finally an opportunity to date this thing. If there is an inscription that can be deciphered science will gain a lot of info.

Through the years I've heard it called many things, mostly an astronomical computer and a type of sextant. It's been said that Archimedes was the inventor, although that's pretty wild speculation.

Like so many archaeological mysteries, it makes me think that much of ancient knowledge has been lost.

[Minimalist]

Archimedes died in 212 BC when the Romans sacked Syracuse but I suppose it could have kicked around for a while after his death.

[stan]

So what's the inscription? So tantalizing.

[Beagle]

Yep - I think that's where the thought came from, since the Romans sacked Syracuse. OTOH they took treasure from many Greek cities. That may explain what it was doing on a Roman ship, but not why it was in the waters off of Antikythera.

Wild speculation. Probably because we are unaware of an early Greek inventor of Archimedes fame and stature. There were undoubtedly others that didn't make the history books.

[Guest]

FOR decades, researchers have been baffled by the intricate bronze mechanism of wheels and dials created 80 years before the birth of Christ.

i have heard about this thing for years also, when will they have the translation available?

So what's the inscription? So tantalizing

if they can't read i know christians who can.

[Minimalist]

And if they can't, they'll make something up, as usual!

[Guest]

The "Antikythera Mechanism" was discovered damaged and fragmented on the wreck of a cargo ship off the tiny Greek island of Antikythera in 1900

does it have to be a greek invention? could it not have been traded for, or borowed and was being returned to its owner or being used for trade in some other transaction?


greek was used extensively at the time.

[Minimalist]

They claim to have deciphered 95% of the text but, of course, are not releasing it to us peons just yet.

Probably says "Some Assembly Required," or "Batteries Not Included."

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/afp/20060 ... p_arc.html

[Guest]

haven't finished reading all of the link-- but it says that it was found on a roman ship (5th paragraph) so what makes them think this is a greek invention?

[Minimalist]

We need someone who speaks Greek.

[Beagle]

It's Greek to me.

[Guest]

We need someone who speaks Greek.

sorry but my ancient greek is rusty. i could probably give you the corresponding english letters but that would be the extent of it.