Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Ancient Astronomical Computer Decoded

Posted by samzenpus on from the consult-the-wheel dept.

slimjim8094 writes "A mechanical device from 150BC was found in a shipwreck. Upon examination with X-Rays, the device appeared to be a revolutionary computer used to calculate lunar cycles. This device "is technically more complex than any known for at least a millennium afterward." From the article "The hand-operated mechanism, presumably used in preparing calendars for planting and harvesting and fixing religious festivals, had at least 30, possibly 37, hand-cut bronze gear-wheels, the researchers said. A pin-and-slot device connecting two gear-wheels induced variations in the representation of lunar motions according to the Hipparchos model of the Moon's elliptical orbit around Earth."

4 of 233 comments (clear)

  1. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 5, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  2. Probably a prototype by BadAnalogyGuy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Overly complex and tediously designed. It sounds like a prototype.

    The production version probably had a sleek plastic case and LED display, but probably only supported lunar cycle calculation and none of the other farming predictors or epicycle calculators.

    It was the Greek Apple, so to speak. The Grappa.

  3. Greek geek showmanship... by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 5, Funny

    "My gears outnumbers your gears, loser!" from the ancient scroll recently found called "Gears of War".

  4. Re:I knew it! by thelenm · · Score: 4, Funny

    All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?

    --
    Use Ctrl-C instead of ESC in Vim!