Andrew Yee[_1_]
December 1st 06, 04:33 PM
Cardiff University
Wales, UK
Contact: Stephen Rouse
029-208-75596
29 November 2006
The 2,000-year-old computer
Cardiff experts have led an international team in unravelling the secrets of
a 2,000-year-old computer which could transform the way we think about the
ancient world.
Professor Mike Edmunds of the School of Physics and Astronomy and
mathematician Dr Tony Freeth first heard of the Antikythera Mechanism, a
clock-like astronomical calculator dating from the second century BC,
several years ago. Now they believe they have cracked the centuries-old
mystery of how it actually works.
Remnants of a broken wooden and bronze case containing more than 30 gears
was found by divers exploring a shipwreck off the island of Antikythera at
the turn of the 20th century. Scientists have been trying to reconstruct it
ever since. The new research suggests it is more sophisticated than anyone
previously thought.
Detailed work on the gears in the mechanism showed it was able to track
astronomical movements with remarkable precision. The calculator was able to
follow the movements of the moon and the sun through the Zodiac, predict
eclipses and even recreate the irregular orbit of the moon. The team believe
it may also have predicted the positions of the planets.
The findings suggest that Greek technology was far more advanced than
previously thought. No other civilisation is known to have created anything
as complicated for another thousand years.
Professor Edmunds said: "This device is just extraordinary, the only thing
of its kind. The design is beautiful, the astronomy is exactly right. The
way the mechanics are designed just makes your jaw drop. Whoever has done
this has done it extremely carefully."
The team was made up of researchers from Cardiff, the National Archeological
Museum of Athens and the Universities of Athens and Thessaloniki, supported
by a substantial grant from the Leverhulme Trust. The researchers were
greatly aided by Hertfordshire firm X-Tek, who developed powerful X-Ray
computer technology to help with the study of corroded fragments of the
machine. Computer giant Hewlett-Packard provided imaging technology to
enhance the surface details of the machine.
The mechanism is in 70 pieces and stored in precisely controlled conditions
in Athens where it cannot be touched. Recreating its workings was a
difficult, painstaking process, involving astronomers, mathematicians,
computer experts, script analysts and conservation experts.
After unveiling their full findings at a two-day international conference in
Athens and in the journal Nature, the researchers are now hoping to create a
computer model of how the machine worked, and, in time, a full working
replica. It is still uncertain what the ancient Greeks used the mechanism
for, or how widespread this technology was.
Professor Edmunds said: "It does raise the question what else were they
making at the time. In term of historic and scarcity value, I have to regard
this mechanism as being more valuable than the Mona Lisa."
Notes for Editors
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is recognised in independent government assessments as
one of Britain's leading teaching and research universities. Founded by
Royal Charter in 1883, the University today combines impressive modern
facilities and a dynamic approach to teaching and research. The University's
breadth of expertise in research and research-led teaching encompasses: the
humanities; the natural, physical, health, life and social sciences;
engineering and technology; preparation for a wide range of professions; and
a longstanding commitment to lifelong learning. Cardiff is a member of the
Russell Group of Britain's leading research universities.
Visit the University website at: www.cardiff.ac.uk
Cardiff School of Physics and Astronomy
Cardiff has a large and successful School of Physics and Astronomy,
attracting some 300 undergraduate and postgraduate students. For researchers
and students of astronomy, the School offers modern astronomical
laboratories with optical, radio and solar telescopes. The University's
Astrophysics Research Group and the Astronomy Instrumentation Research Group
are two of the most vigorous in the UK. Members of the groups regularly use
the three main British observatories in Hawaii, the Canary Islands and
Australia, and they also use the Hubble Space Telescope and other space
observatories.
For further information contact:
Professor Mike Edmunds
Cardiff School of Physics and Astronomy
Cardiff University,
Tel: +44 2920 874043
[NOTE: Images supporting this release are available at
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/newsevents/22801.html ]
Wales, UK
Contact: Stephen Rouse
029-208-75596
29 November 2006
The 2,000-year-old computer
Cardiff experts have led an international team in unravelling the secrets of
a 2,000-year-old computer which could transform the way we think about the
ancient world.
Professor Mike Edmunds of the School of Physics and Astronomy and
mathematician Dr Tony Freeth first heard of the Antikythera Mechanism, a
clock-like astronomical calculator dating from the second century BC,
several years ago. Now they believe they have cracked the centuries-old
mystery of how it actually works.
Remnants of a broken wooden and bronze case containing more than 30 gears
was found by divers exploring a shipwreck off the island of Antikythera at
the turn of the 20th century. Scientists have been trying to reconstruct it
ever since. The new research suggests it is more sophisticated than anyone
previously thought.
Detailed work on the gears in the mechanism showed it was able to track
astronomical movements with remarkable precision. The calculator was able to
follow the movements of the moon and the sun through the Zodiac, predict
eclipses and even recreate the irregular orbit of the moon. The team believe
it may also have predicted the positions of the planets.
The findings suggest that Greek technology was far more advanced than
previously thought. No other civilisation is known to have created anything
as complicated for another thousand years.
Professor Edmunds said: "This device is just extraordinary, the only thing
of its kind. The design is beautiful, the astronomy is exactly right. The
way the mechanics are designed just makes your jaw drop. Whoever has done
this has done it extremely carefully."
The team was made up of researchers from Cardiff, the National Archeological
Museum of Athens and the Universities of Athens and Thessaloniki, supported
by a substantial grant from the Leverhulme Trust. The researchers were
greatly aided by Hertfordshire firm X-Tek, who developed powerful X-Ray
computer technology to help with the study of corroded fragments of the
machine. Computer giant Hewlett-Packard provided imaging technology to
enhance the surface details of the machine.
The mechanism is in 70 pieces and stored in precisely controlled conditions
in Athens where it cannot be touched. Recreating its workings was a
difficult, painstaking process, involving astronomers, mathematicians,
computer experts, script analysts and conservation experts.
After unveiling their full findings at a two-day international conference in
Athens and in the journal Nature, the researchers are now hoping to create a
computer model of how the machine worked, and, in time, a full working
replica. It is still uncertain what the ancient Greeks used the mechanism
for, or how widespread this technology was.
Professor Edmunds said: "It does raise the question what else were they
making at the time. In term of historic and scarcity value, I have to regard
this mechanism as being more valuable than the Mona Lisa."
Notes for Editors
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is recognised in independent government assessments as
one of Britain's leading teaching and research universities. Founded by
Royal Charter in 1883, the University today combines impressive modern
facilities and a dynamic approach to teaching and research. The University's
breadth of expertise in research and research-led teaching encompasses: the
humanities; the natural, physical, health, life and social sciences;
engineering and technology; preparation for a wide range of professions; and
a longstanding commitment to lifelong learning. Cardiff is a member of the
Russell Group of Britain's leading research universities.
Visit the University website at: www.cardiff.ac.uk
Cardiff School of Physics and Astronomy
Cardiff has a large and successful School of Physics and Astronomy,
attracting some 300 undergraduate and postgraduate students. For researchers
and students of astronomy, the School offers modern astronomical
laboratories with optical, radio and solar telescopes. The University's
Astrophysics Research Group and the Astronomy Instrumentation Research Group
are two of the most vigorous in the UK. Members of the groups regularly use
the three main British observatories in Hawaii, the Canary Islands and
Australia, and they also use the Hubble Space Telescope and other space
observatories.
For further information contact:
Professor Mike Edmunds
Cardiff School of Physics and Astronomy
Cardiff University,
Tel: +44 2920 874043
[NOTE: Images supporting this release are available at
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/newsevents/22801.html ]