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Resources => Stories, Writings and Other Snippets [Public] => Topic started by: nichi on December 06, 2006, 06:51:40 AM

Title: Ancient Computer!
Post by: nichi on December 06, 2006, 06:51:40 AM
(http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/0612/antikythera_wikipedia.jpg)

The Antikythera Mechanism
Credit & Copyright: Wikipedia
Explanation: What is it? It was found at the bottom of the sea aboard an ancient Greek ship. Its seeming complexity has prompted decades of study, although many of its functions remained unknown. Recent X-rays of the device have now confirmed the nature of the Antikythera mechanism, and discovered several surprising functions. The Antikythera mechanism has been discovered to be a mechanical computer of an accuracy thought impossible in 80 BC, when the ship that carried it sunk. Such sophisticated technology was not thought to be developed by humanity for another 1,000 years. Its wheels and gears create a portable orrery of the sky that predicted star and planet locations as well as lunar and solar eclipses. The Antikythera mechanism, shown above, is 33 centimeters high and similar in size to a large book.

The Antikythera Mechanism (http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap061205.html)
Title: Re: Ancient Computer!
Post by: Nick on December 07, 2006, 03:28:44 AM
fasinating! modern man thinks he is so smart. who'd a thunk that maybe intelligence hasn't grown in a linear fashion from past to present. i think modern man is dumber that some of the more ancient people.
Title: Re: Ancient Computer!
Post by: nichi on December 07, 2006, 04:19:28 PM
I'm with you on all of that, Ian!