The Antikythera Mechanism: is the oldest known scientific computer, built in Greece at around 100 BCE. Lost for 2000 years, it was recovered from a shipwreck in 1901. But not until a century later was its purpose understood: an astronomical clock that determines the positions of celestial bodies with extraordinary precision. In 2010, we built a fully-functional replica out of Lego. Sponsored by Digital Science: a new division of Macmillan Publishers that provides technology solutions for researchers. Available under a license. Antikythera Mechanism Research Project Sign up for the Nature Briefing: An essential round-up of science news, opinion and analysis, free in your inbox every weekday.
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