What Did the Real Antikythera Mechanism Do And Who Actually Made It?

In 2023’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the latest entry in the iconic adventure film series, everyone’s favourite swashbuckling archaeologist/grave robber hunts after the titular dial, a mechanism invented by Ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes to predict the appearance of fissures in time, allowing the user to travel between the present and the past…because, sure, why not? But while this fantastical plot element might sound like the product of a particularly drunken session of antiquities-themed Mad Libs, amazingly, it is actually based on a real-life artifact called the Antikythera Mechanism, funny enough. Dating from the 1st century B.C.E, this incredibly sophisticated assembly of bronze gears has baffled archaeologists for over a century, predating the earliest known mechanisms of its kind by more than a millennium. Only in recent years has its true function been determined, revealed to be an ancient form of analogue computer - the oldest on record. This is the story of the most incredible example of ancient mechanical and mathematical genius ever discovered. So let’s dive into it, shall we?
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[@-xirx-]

I've never come across such a clear and comprehensive breakdown of this scientific marvel, a marvel which has always fascinated me. Thank you!

[@writerNB]

agreed: as a third generation engineer obsessed with all things mechanical, this video ticks all my nerd boxes :) analyzing each dial and its function, how each dial relates to the ancients understanding of cycles (of time) is powerful knowledge. (i dont think its too far fetched to suggest the function of the device was to predict future events). i noticed the two back dials are joined (like a spiral), almost as if the designer realized that "time" as a construct has a spiral nature... i guess there are different theories relating to time. we experience it as a linear series of events, but of course, time in many ancient texts and religions is represented as a cyclic wheel (probably closer to the truth). whoever can solve the mystery (work out function) of gear R1 (63 tooth gear) will be unlocking the power and genius of someone who, basically, had enough engineering knowledge to build an analog computer (time calculator) that rivals anything made by charles babbage and john harrison centuries later... 639, of course, just happen to be the numbers favored by tesla, who observed that nature's patterns occur in multiples of 3.

[@reddog-ex4dx]

WOW! This mechanism continues to amaze me! On a side note, what if the Greeks had come up with a spring. Not only would the Antikythera Mechanism have been able to continue on it's own, they could have invented clocks that used gears instead of reliying on water clocks and sun dials.

[@tedwalford7615]

Even without springs, clocks (like "grandfather" clocks) could have been constructed with simple escapement mechanisms driven by slowly-falling weights.

[@emerje0]

I can only imagine what the world would be like today if if this didn't end up at the bottom of the ocean. Maybe a war or some religious zealot would have seen it destroyed later, but maybe it would have been replicated, refined and expanded on, it could have given berth to technologies that we would now consider ahead of their time like pocket watches.

[@iteerrex8166]

Imagine the centuries of meticulous observation and innovations before the design of this final mechanism.

[@davidankarlo9438]

9

[@BramBiesiekierski]

Not centuries. Millennia

[@LadyValkyri]

Thank you for all of the thoughtful and extensive research done in order to bring us a glimpse into the fascinating history & mystery of this amazing mechanism. I'm so glad you tackled it. Daven & team, excellent work! Hugs

[@Dr_Do-Little]

To learn more about the Antikythera mechanism and especially how it could had been made. I strongly suggest @Clickspring series. He also have a "side playlist" on building the tools to make the mechanism. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g32XpaqVit-kkKc

[@michaelpipkin9942]

This is definitely the best video on the Greek gearbox so far.

[@danidavis7912]

That was the best thing I've watched on the tube in a very long time. Well done, sir. I've been fascinated with this object since I was a kid in the 70s, and first heard about it from history teacher. As someone mentioned below, this is the most comprehensive video treatise I have seen on the subject. Thank you!

[@newshodgepodge6329]

I (51) first learned about it from a documentary in the late 90s. I've tried to stay on top of any stories that have come my way about it ever since.

[@hollieBlu303]

I never knew the Antikythera mechanism was found off Simi....ive been there! Went on holiday to Rhodes in Greece! Its beautiful...and we bought... sponges and went diving. I'm serious. Beautiful. I had no idea. Amazing place. Would highly recommend if you find yourself in the Eastern Mediterranean 😊

[@Lethgar_Smith]

I think you're over looking something in regards to the Archimedes connection. Couldn't he have built it while he was alive and then it end up on the ship some years later and sank? The device could have already been quite old when it sank. There is no reason the age of the wreck must coincide with age of the device. I mean, it has to be at least as old as the wreck but it could just as easily be much older. Right?

[@eetadakimasu]

I love your enthusiasm and the way your weave the info! Love the channel can't wait for more!

[@fnersch3367]

I have a working replica of this. This device was not made in a vacuum. Centuries of gear technology preceded it.

[@MusicalRaichu]

Allan Bromley was one of my university lecturers. My contribution to his research on the mechanism was to translate a letter he received from Greece about his itinerary.

[@samwill7259]

It makes him sound silly knowing what we know about what he actually FOUND But if I saw a bunch of black skinned naked people petrified at the bottom of the ocean, I would probably come up gibbering too.

[@bunyipdragon9499]

Thankyou for an excellent updated version of this magnificent machine. The more we know the more I wonder in amazement 💜

[@kimsmoke17]

Getting rid of Simon was an excellent choice. Terrific video.

[@rollotomasislawyer3405]

The biggest mystery to me is, just how did they build such meticulously accurate gears and figure the exact timing of them with nothing but hand tools?

[@davidanderson2357]

I watched a TV special on this subject some years ago, and that very question was raised and explored. Turns out it's not that difficult if you know what you're doing. Which I do not.

[@glenngriffon8032]

Dedication, patience, skill. Things that we, as humans, have in abundance.

[@PaulStClair-or3gj]

Why do you assume they only had hand tools? Some of which can do wonders by the way in the hands of a skilled craftsman. I wonder if they had intelligence from another source.? Either way... it's an amazing mechanism. Needing the predictions it made also shows that they had knowledge of astronomy also... they were not so primitive as many people assume. Regards. ⚓

[@MC-bu6ez]

Nice to hear a person who actually pronounces the name of the island correctly.

[@shlomster6256]

Nicely done!

[@StephenGillie]

Fun fact: "Archi Medes" just means "Big Brain".

[@pytlakowski77]

Movement of SUN and other "planets" most important here is that mechanism is based on geocentric knowledge "level still plane" and that's why is working even today so well and accurate;)

[@amorpaz1]

Please shut up

[@danielwolf6875]

Great Job Brother!!!! Best Highlight History video since a while.....!!! 🎉🎉👏👏❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 Love what you guys are doing with the channels. Keep up the good work. My insatiable brain itch is helped much by you all. #Basement_Breakout! XD 😂

[@ElementalAngelKashi]

i love when some people like to dismiss things couldn't have been made because they weren't advanced enough, but one forgets they had a lot of time on their hands and could spend a lot of time doing things like this. Imagine what you could do if you only had to work half as much as you do now to survive. what would you do with all that spare time?

[@glenngriffon8032]

Exactly. Imagine you have all the time in the world to do anything. You don't have to go work a job and earn a wage to stay alive, you can just indulge yourself in anything. Now Imagine that you have all this time on your hands and there's no internet, no tv, no radio, no movies, just books. Piles and piles of books on every subject you can imagine. You'd read everything there several times over just to keep your sanity up and with all that knowledge you naturally feel the need to put it to practice.

[@gregf9160]

22 centuries after its creation we are still discovering how it actually worked -- and that we still couldn't build it today. Amazing ...

[@pseudotasuki]

14:51 Perigee is the closest point. The farthest point is apogee.

[@davidanderson2357]

Gee, you're right!

[@DIOSpeedDemon]

I have a simple question: If the device were in working order today in 2024, and calibrated to planets and sun alignment in this day and time, could the mechanism predict upcoming Eclipses and accurate movements of planets in the year 2024. Thank you and great video series,

[@arniea4202]

I like Davens presentation I would compare it to Simon with less caffeine. Very interesting video, I wonder how an Archimedes would get along in our modern world of wonders.

[@asicdathens]

The device that was discovered near the island of Antikythera includes astronomical phenomena discovered after the death of Archimedes. Also, the complexity, compactness and lack of design or manufacturing errors points to technological progress greater than one generation

[@pfannkuchengesicht42]

Actually Clickspring made it and through a time loop it ended up back 70 BC.

[@AttitudeIndicator]

really great video

[@likebot.]

I'm just going to pretend that this device was about a hundred years old by the time it went down with the shipwreck.

[@davidanderson2357]

Imagine bringing Archimedes to this century, and introducing him to the concept of quantum computing. Or bringing Galileo in to spend the day checking out images from the James Webb telescope. And da Vinci? Sheesh. Where would you start with him?

[@burningbarnavit]

WHOA WHOA WHOA!!! DAVIN IS A MARINERS FAN?! #SEAUSRISE #SODOMOJO BABY!

[@JMurdochNZ]

I love this thing. An astonishing accomplishment.

[@HeadRoaster]

i'm probly real late to the party, but man i'm glad i found where Daven's presenting.. i love Simon, but i missed Daven!

[@burningbarnavit]

Are you from the PacNW Davin? I live on Whidbey, myself.

[@HighlightHistory]

Bellingham :-)

[@burningbarnavit]

@@HighlightHistory My duuude! My wife graduated from Western and Chuckanut is my favorite road in the state! I'm a history and research nerd, so if you ever need a hand.. I'd be honored:)

[@stefanschleps8758]

It was Archimedes.

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

Thank you.

[@lemilemi5385]

Thank you

[@georgeralph8031]

how did they cut the gears? anyone?...

[@newshodgepodge6329]

Didn't they retrieve another section of it from the ocean floor some time within the past couple of years? I'm pretty sure I remember the headlines but the specifics were rather sparse.

[@johng4093]

Probably the complementary leatherette travel case.

[@Pl4sm0]

Even if there're Greek inscriptions on the Antikythera Mechanism, I don't even believe for a second that they built it, reasons : this is the only mechanism found, no trace of any similar mechanism, no trace of who built it, with similar mechanisms they could've built a clock. My personal opinion : it could be made in China and after Greeks inscriptions where write on it.

[@filup7419]

The Gregorian calendar (a solar based calendar) was put in use in 1582 and is the most accurate calendar mankind has ever had. Before the Gregorian calendar, we didn't really have an accurate way of keeping time. This device however, was able to accurately chart and predict the movements of the sun, moon, and the 5 known planets at the time and thus, was just as accurate as the Gregorian calendar but 1700 years earlier. In short, human civilization lost time. We lost 1700 years.

[@rollotomasislawyer3405]

Also Juneteenth too!

[@beepboop204]

[@salemwildfire]

Is Simon not doing this channel anymore?

[@bunyipdragon9499]

No. Simon and Daven used to do fact shows together years ago though. It seems to be a small world for them

[@alohafromflorida2350]

The moon path is from tropic to tropic over 1 month over the surface of a level stationary earth. The sun takes 1 year to do the same. The sun and moon are about the same size and altitude moving from tropic to tropic around the magnetic center of earth is North Pole. The AM is a geocentric flat and stationary working model. Where’s the working model for the heliocentric hypothesis? All they have is the 3 body problem and chalkboard calculations based on assumptions.

[@kreiner1]

I am so tired of people limiting people because they were not as smart as we are now. They could never have done that on their own, had to be time travles or aliens.

[@bmon4095]

Following your train of logic… Then a lot of the things that we are accomplishing today must be the result of time travellers or aliens, because we obviously couldn’t have come up with this by our own devices, thought processes, trial and error, Sciences or expanding knowledge. A large part of me, hopes that beyond death, I will get my answers to questions that have broken my mind for the last 71 years. Just going through the knowledge lost on this planet will likely take millennium. I am looking forward to that learning. I hope you enjoy my lifelong personal mantra. “party like there’s no tomorrow… Learn like you’re going to live forever“. Peace out.

[@kreiner1]

@bmon4095 I think people were just as smart as we are now. In cultures where ideas and knowledge can be shared, we collectively learn more. We then pass on that information. Because each new generation can build off of what has been learned and in turn learn more and more. If we never passed on knowledge, we would be stuck with each new generation, learning how to start a fire. Learning how to create and control fire was every bit as hard as putting a man on the moon if it had never been done before. We are not smarter than them. We just have more collective knowledge.

[@Laughwithmelol]

OK I’m gonna ask a question everyone has been wondering could this ancient computer play video games?

[@bruce3199]

Bring back whisle boy

[@frankpellicci6105]

Just because the mechanism was found on a shipwreck doesn't mean it wasn't from a more ancient era. Perhaps even the Antediluvian cultures.

[@alohafromflorida2350]

The Greeks geocentric knowledge did not include a globe earth. They knew the earth is flat and stationary and that’s why the earth is not on the mechanism with the other heavenly luminaires. The Antikythera mechanism proves the geocentric flat and stair is run earth model is correct.

[@brianahern100]

But can it run Crysis?

[@danidavis7912]

I love the reference to Crysis. Every single one of it's releases, from first to last, was way ahead of its time in terms of the available technology to run them.

[@alexchu3599]

Yes but it needs to be submerged in the sea in order to properly run without overheating.

[@dustin628]

Have you heard the cataclysm theory? The idea that 10500 years ago there was a great cataclysm with massive floods that ruined all civilizations on earth at the time. That civilizations back then were light years more advanced than we could even imagine, but that knowledge was lost for the most part but thats why all humans all over the planet started farming at the same time etc. They emerged from their shelters and restarted civilization. It explains a lot of the mysteries of the early ages of humans

[@harryemerson7439]

"Promo sm" 💕

[@Zelmel]

It looks like a crap alethiometer tbh.

[@iteerrex8166]

So much of history is simply wrong.

[@julianshepherd2038]

I assume this research has published and peer reviewed?

[@iteerrex8166]

@@julianshepherd2038 I wasn’t talking about this video.

[@TheLoxxxton]

Is this a Simon channel or that woman's dads channel?

[@HighlightHistory]

This is a Daven channel :-)

[@TheLoxxxton]

@HighlightHistory thank god. What happend to the Simon? Seems all a bit shady

[@jackmason5278]

Your description and animation of the moon's orbit is faulty. Its orbit is always concave with respect to the sun, and not always to the earth. The moon and the earth share an orbit around the sun. They cross over from time to time. Being smaller, the moon does most of the crossing, making it appear to orbit the earth.

[@TheHarrip]

Oh please don't. I can't listen to this voice. The pronunciation is all wrong.