Science & Technology

Gravitational wave science applied to mysterious Antikythera mechanism

By T.K. Randall
June 28, 2024

Image: Antikythera Mechanism - National Archaeological Museum, Athens
Credit: Joyofmuseums / CC BY-SA 4.0 (adapted) Dating back around 2,000 years, the Antikythera mechanism - originally found in a shipwreck by sponge divers in 1901 - is one of the most fascinating archaeological artifacts ever discovered.

How the ancient Greeks developed the device, which is filled with a staggeringly intricate array of gears, remains something of a mystery - especially given the time period in which it was built.

Over the years, experts have spent countless hours examining the device to determine what it was used for, with the prevailing theory being that it was some form of early astronomical computer.

More recently, scientists at the University of Glasgow conducted a new analysis of the mechanism by applying the same statistical modeling techniques that had been used to analyze gravitational waves - ripples in the fabric of spacetime produced by major cosmic events.This enabled the team to solve a long-standing mystery over whether the mechanism's calendar ring has 354 holes or 365 - with 354 (corresponding to the lunar calendar) being deemed far more likely.

The finding also serves to back up existing theories of the purpose and function of the device.

"It's given me a new appreciation for the Antikythera mechanism and the work and care that Greek craftspeople put into making it," said study co-author Dr. Joseph Bayley.

"The precision of the holes' positioning would have required highly accurate measurement techniques and an incredibly steady hand to punch them."

Source: Phys.org

Tags: Antikythera