Archaeological News

Antikythera shipwreck excavated by marine archaeologists

This is the site where the famous Antikythera Mechanism was found, a device that altered our thinking about the ancient world and its technology.

Archaeological News: Antikythera

You will recall the Antikythera Mechanism, the computing device that was discovered in a submerged Greek ship about a century ago that is of mysterious purpose, remarkable technological sophistication, and older than Jesus.  Because of its staggering importance, the site is being explored with great care and deliberation.  Also, since it's 150 feet below the surface, only in recent years have marine archaeologists been able to spend enough time with the wreck.

Another elusive portion of this find is that no one is really sure who used the device.  Well, until now:

Scientists uncovered a skeleton from the ancient world’s most famous — and mysterious — shipwreck

A Nice Washington Post Article on the Antikythera Mechanism

The world’s oldest computer is still revealing its secrets

By "oldest", they mean it dates to 200 B.C.  Yes, that's right.

More Information About The Antikythera Mechanism

Now a new analysis of the dial used to predict eclipses, which is set on the back of the mechanism, provides yet another clue to one of history’s most intriguing puzzles. Christián C. Carman, a science historian at the National University of Quilmes in Argentina, and James Evans, a physicist at the University of Puget Sound in Washington, suggest that the calendar of the mysterious device began in 205 B.C., just seven years after Archimedes died.

Also, this is fun:

Archaeological News

First, researchers are getting ever closer to understanding the Antikythera Mechanism, a device dated to c. 150 B.C., the discovery of which has been likened to finding a Buick in medieval Europe.

Decoding An Ancient Computer: New Astonishing Truths

Second, archaeology isn't just about the ancient past, but about discovering about more recent events and personalities, too.

Digging into Shakespeare's later life at New Place, Stratford-upon-Avon

We Have Spoken Of This Device In Our Thursday Classes

Advanced Imaging Reveals a Computer 1,500 Years Ahead of Its Time

The article contains a summary of the latest information about the Antikythera Mechanism.

Remember The Antikythera Mechanism?

We've spoken of it in our archaeology classes from time to time.  It was an early computing device found in a shipwreck that has been dated to the 1st century B.C.  Much more about it, including photos of the original with modern working duplicates, may be found at this link.

Anyway, we finally have the technology to explore the wreck, which lies at approximately 400 feet, using an atmospheric diving suit.  It looks like this:

May I say "neato" now?