Scientists reveal new insights into the 2,000-year-old 'world's oldest computer' found in a shipwreck

Scientists have just uncovered groundbreaking insights into a 2,000-year-old device that has puzzled experts for over a century.?

Discovered in a Greek shipwreck in 1901, this ancient device, called the world's "oldest computer," has finally revealed its true purpose.?

This remarkable artifact, with its complex gears and dials, sheds new light on the advanced technological knowledge of the ancient Greeks and how they tracked celestial events long before the digital age.

What is the "world's oldest computer"?

The “world’s oldest computer” is the Antikythera mechanism, an ancient Greek device that has captivated researchers since its discovery over a century ago.?

This remarkable artifact, considered one of the earliest known analog computers, was found in a Greek shipwreck in 1901.?

The Antikythera mechanism, a hand-powered instrument with a wind-up system, was designed to track the movements of the sun, moon, and planets.?

It also functioned as a calendar, marking the phases of the moon and predicting eclipses.?

Recent research from the University of Glasgow has employed sophisticated statistical modeling techniques—originally used to study gravitational waves from cosmic events—to uncover new details about its use.

Credit: MyHeritage Blog | World's oldest computer

Despite being in 82 separate fragments, with only a third of its original structure intact, including 30 corroded bronze gearwheels, researchers from University College London have used 3D computer modeling to reveal the device's intricate workings.?

In a recent study published in the Official Journal of the British Horological Institute, researchers Graham Woan and Joseph Bayley from the University of Glasgow suggest that the ancient ring was probably perforated with 354 holes, matching the number of days in a lunar year.?

Interestingly, the inspiration for their research came from a YouTuber who has been trying to physically recreate the ancient mechanism and was curious about the number of holes it might have had.

They describe it as a "creation of genius," showcasing the advanced engineering and sophisticated astronomical knowledge of the ancient Greeks.

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