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[[File:Antikythera mechanism.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The Antikythera mechanism]]

[[File:Antikythera mechanism.jpg|right|thumb|The Antikythera mechanism]]

The '''Antikythera mechanism''' was recovered from an ancient shipwreck off the [[Greece|Greek]] island of Antikythera in 1900. Thought to be over 2,000 years old, [[gamma ray]] analysis has revealed an intricate [[astronomy|astronomical]] device utilising "calibrated differential gears"<ref>http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/rrice/usna_pap.html</ref> and capable of predicting the movements of the [[sun]] and [[moon]]. Remarkably, it pre-dates instruments of similar complexity by around a thousand years.

The '''Antikythera mechanism''' was a device which displayed the movements of the heavens that was recovered from an ancient shipwreck. The wreck was found near the [[Greece|Greek]] island of Antikythera in 1901. Thought to be over 2,000 years old, [[gamma ray]] analysis has revealed an intricate [[astronomy|astronomical]] device utilising "calibrated differential gears"<ref name="Rice">Rice, Rob S., "[http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/rrice/usna_pap.html The Antikythera Mechanism: Physical and Intellectual Salvage from the 1st Century B.C.]"</ref> and capable of predicting the movements of the [[sun]] and [[moon]]. Remarkably, it pre-dates instruments of similar complexity by around a thousand years.

==History==

==History==

Diving for [[sponge]]s and black [[coral]] at a depth of 140&nbsp;ft, Elias Stadiatos reported disturbing visions of "dead, naked women".<ref>http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/rrice/usna_pap.html</ref> Subsequent dives discovered a treasure trove of ancient [[marble]] statues. The Greek [[government]] was informed of the find and many artifacts were recovered from the wreck the following year. The haul included the [[statue]]s, jewelry, and what appeared to be several pieces of corroded [[bronze]]. Under the belief that these pieces were fragments of a larger statue, they were filed away in the depths of the National Archaeological Museum in [[Athens]], while the rest of the artifacts were placed on display. It would be years later that the shipwreck and cargo would be dated to about 65 B.C., sinking off Antitythera while on a voyage from the eastern Greek islands of Rhodes or Cos; it had been speculated that the ship may have been bound for Rome.<ref>http://www.world-mysteries.com/sar_4.htm</ref>

Diving for [[sponge]]s and black [[coral]] at a depth of 140&nbsp;ft, Elias Stadiatos reported disturbing visions of "dead, naked women."<ref name="Rice" /> Subsequent dives discovered a treasure trove of ancient [[marble]] statues. The Greek [[government]] was informed of the find and many artifacts were recovered from the wreck the following year. The haul included the [[statue]]s, jewelry, and what appeared to be several pieces of corroded [[bronze]]. Under the belief that these pieces were fragments of a larger statue, they were filed away in the depths of the National Archaeological Museum in [[Athens]], while the rest of the artifacts were placed on display. It would be years later that the shipwreck and cargo would be dated to about 65 B.C., sinking off Antitythera while on a voyage from the eastern Greek islands of Rhodes or Cos; it had been speculated that the ship may have been bound for Rome.<ref>http://www.world-mysteries.com/sar_4.htm</ref>

 

 

==References==

==References==