The Antikythera Mechanism

In 1901, sponge divers discovered a corroded bronze device in a shipwreck off the Greek island of Antikythera. Dating to around 100 BCE, the Antikythera Mechanism is an astonishingly sophisticated astronomical calculator containing at least 30 interlocking bronze gears. It could predict eclipses, track the Olympic Games cycle, and model the irregular orbit of the Moon. The level of miniaturization and precision wasn't matched until 14th-century European clockmakers. X-ray analysis revealed inscriptions describing astronomical phenomena. The device challenges assumptions about ancient Greek technology—nothing remotely comparable appears in the historical record for over 1,000 years. Its existence suggests ancient Mediterranean civilizations possessed mechanical knowledge that was subsequently lost. Who built it, how many existed, and why this technology disappeared remain unanswered. It's often called the world's first analog computer and represents a profound gap in our understanding of ancient capabilities.