Antikythera mechanism: who said that the first cogwheel mechanism belongs to the Renaissance?
The Antikythera Mechanism, an analogue computer of astounding technology crafted over 2000 years ago, was used to precisely calculate the positions of the Sun and Moon, as well as the movements of celestial bodies. It also predicted eclipses and determined the date of the ancient Stephanite games. The mechanism, housed in a wooden box (compass) measuring 32 cm x 16 cm x 10 cm—roughly the size of a modern laptop—contained at least 30 interlocking gears. Its complexity far surpasses that of all devices built by humans in the subsequent millennium. The technical infrastructure at the time of its creation, and what became of the knowledge and artistry it embodies, have been among the most significant questions “haunting” archaeologists and scientific experts since its discovery in the “Antikythera Shipwreck” at the dawn of the last century. Last week’s announcement that the inscriptions found on the dozens of fragments have been nearly fully decoded has ignited the interest of the international scientific community. The findings will be presented to the European Parliament on Tuesday, 14 June.
Yannis Bitsakis is a pivotal member of the research team that has spent a decade systematically deciphering how the Mechanism functioned. He is part of the Antikythera Mechanism Research Group and the History, Philosophy and Teaching of Science and Technology Program. He also serves as a research associate at the Historical and Palaeographical Archive of the National Bank of Greece Cultural Foundation. A founding member of the Hellenic Society for the History, Philosophy and Didactics of Science, and a member of the Society for the Study of Ancient Greek Technology and the Greek Section of the International Council of Museums, Bitsakis briefly answered a few questions about this remarkable device from the ancient world after an event at the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation’s Historical Library, where the nearly unbelievable results of the team’s decade-long research were announced.
The discussion also includes insights from the team’s newest member, Professor Alexander Jones, an expert in the history of ancient astronomy from the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World in New York.
“It is a unique object in the history of technology. We don’t know whether the knowledge of its makers was lost and rediscovered towards the end of the Middle Ages, or whether it was passed down through the handover of workshops to later craftsmen. But it certainly shocks those who are used to placing the beginning of geared technology around the Renaissance.”
– Mr.
Bitsakis, when did you join the Antikythera Mechanism research team?
I joined when the team was officially established in 2005. It was formed by astrophysicists Mike Edmunds, Yannis Seiradakis, and Xenophon Moussa. In the Museum, we collaborated with archaeologist Mary Zafeiropoulou and chemist Eleni Maggou, who heads the chemical and physical research laboratory where previous analyses of the Mechanism were conducted. With the discovery of new inscriptions, we invited philologist and palaeographer Agamemnon Tselika to our team, and later added historian of science Alexander Jones.
– What had transpired by then?
It’s a long story. In the summer of 1901, the Mechanism was retrieved by the Symi spongers from the Antikythera wreck. It was likely sent to the National Archaeological Museum as part of a bronze statue. In May 1902, former Minister of Education Spyridon Stais, who had organized the expedition to Antikythera, discovered inscriptions, the words “Aphrodite” and “Helium”, and mechanical parts. He quickly concluded that it was not part of a statue, but an astronomical mechanism. The investigation into this Mechanism began then and continues to this day.
– Why did it take so many years to decode it?
Modern x-ray technology revealed mechanical details that were invisible to the naked eye, including the incredible text of the inscriptions. Another factor is that until 2005, the Mechanism was studied by individual researchers who lacked a platform for productive dialogue about their findings.
– What is the Antikythera Mechanism? When and where was it built?
It is the oldest known mechanical computer. By turning a handle, the user can select a date and, thanks to multiple hands, see the positions of celestial bodies and predict solar and lunar eclipses. It was built around the end of the second century BC, likely by at least one astronomer and one engineer who lived between lower Italy and Alexandria in Egypt. The most probable place of construction is Rhodes, where the great Hipparchus and Poseidon worked.
– How significant is it to the evolution of technology?
It is a unique object in the history of technology. The evolution of this technology remains a mystery; we don’t know if the knowledge of its creators was lost and then rediscovered at the end of the Middle Ages, or if it was passed down through generations of craftsmen. What is certain is that it astonishes those who associate the dawn of geared technology with the Renaissance.
– Have other similar ancient mechanisms survived?
-No. Only a single gear has been found in Sardinia. We knew of such mechanisms through historical texts, but none had ever been physically discovered. Except for this one, which was preserved due to being shipwrecked: if it hadn’t sunk, its precious metal would have likely been repurposed. However, it’s possible that other ancient mechanisms are lying in museum storages, waiting to be rediscovered. The Antikythera Mechanism has sparked a global interest in ancient technology and astronomy, prompting museum curators to re-examine some of the objects in their collections.
The Antikythera Mechanism could also be the reason why museum curators are now looking at some of the objects in their collections in a new light.
– What knowledge would the person who built it have needed?
Alexander Jones: You have to envision a team of creators: someone skilled in the mathematical and practical design of the mechanism, someone with a broad (though perhaps not deep) knowledge of astronomy, and several skilled individuals to fabricate and assemble the parts and engrave the scales and inscriptions.
– How is it assembled?
It comprises of metal mechanical parts, such as gears, shafts, pins, etc., and plates mounted on a wooden frame.
– Did it actually display the dates for the Olympics and Isthmian Games as well?
Yes, it showed the sequence of the Panhellenic Games over the four-year cycle of the Olympiad. To date, we have identified the names of the games at Olympia and Corinth, as well as the Nemea at Nemea, the Pythia at Delphi, the Naa at Dodona, and the Alia at Rhodes.
– How does it relate to today’s computers?
Directly. In the history of modern technology, geared computers are considered the predecessors of today’s computers. However, there appears to be no historical continuity between the Antikythera computer and, for example, Pascal’s machine. Moreover, the purpose of the Antikythera Mechanism was not to perform mathematical operations that could be altered by the user, but to depict the invariant movements of celestial bodies. All mechanical computers share a commonality: the mathematical relationships of the gears. In the case of the Antikythera Mechanism, these relationships are extraordinarily complex.
– Did the device come with a user manual? What did it explain?
AJ: The engraved texts on the device explained what each dial indicated and which astronomical calculations the mechanism was performing. However, they didn’t seem to explain how the device itself functioned.
– What additional insights did the recent study provide?
The inscriptions published in the Almagest journal and presented at the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation offer us, for the first time, relatively large and coherent texts that make sense. This allows us to reconstruct the part of the Mechanism that demonstrated the movements of the planets. We now also have a comprehensive description and classification of solar and lunar eclipses. Additionally, we’ve gained new information about where it was used, through the analysis of astronomical observations recorded on its surfaces.
– What evidence suggests it was built by a Pythagorean?
AJ: We know very little about this. There is some evidence indicating the mechanism was crafted in Rhodes. However, I am not aware of any convincing evidence suggesting that the designer was a Pythagorean.
– Do you anticipate other similar discoveries within the wreck?
The most exciting discovery would be finding the missing part of the mechanism, specifically the gears that controlled the planets, as well as more of the inscriptions, which likely hide the name of the manufacturer. For instance: Poseidon’s Epoiesen…
– What was the biggest challenge you faced?
The biggest challenge was adapting the working style of a large interdisciplinary team, accustomed to data sharing and productive discussions via thousands of emails, to the more solitary and long-term nature of research common in archaeology.
– What has personally impressed you most about the mechanism?
AJ: The sheer density of information contained within such small fragments. It’s the only object of such complexity that has been found from classical antiquity.
GM: As Alex mentioned, the density of information in the inscriptions, the fact that it’s an original text coming directly from its creator rather than from later copies, and the incredible concept of encapsulating the entire astronomical knowledge of the time into a single device.
In essence, it’s about creating a “mechanical universe”.
– Has a faithful replica of the mechanism been created with the data available today?
– Numerous replicas have been produced by manufacturers worldwide. The most accurate, based on our team’s data, were constructed by our colleagues at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and mathematician Dionysis Kriaris. The most comprehensive replica, incorporating planetary movements, was built using methods the ancients could have had at their disposal, by our English associate Michael Wright. There are also dozens of digital replicas, and a wristwatch featuring all the Mechanism’s functions, designed and built by Mathias Bute, the director of research and development at Swiss watchmaker Hublot. All the models I mentioned, including the watch, are exhibited in the Mechanism Hall at the National Archaeological Museum. The complete list of all approved models is regularly updated on the study team’s website.
