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Greek Computer
Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 10:46 am
by 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.
Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 3:00 pm
by 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.
Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 3:06 pm
by 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.
Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 3:17 pm
by stan
So what's the inscription? So tantalizing.
Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 3:18 pm
by 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.
Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 5:17 pm
by 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.
Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 6:28 pm
by Minimalist
And if they can't, they'll make something up, as usual!
Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 10:30 pm
by 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.
Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 10:46 am
by 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
Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 3:36 pm
by 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?
Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 4:13 pm
by Minimalist
We need someone who speaks Greek.
Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 5:39 pm
by Beagle
It's Greek to me.
Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 6:22 pm
by 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.