Almost Alien

An amazing achievement is a vast understatement when it comes to describing the significance of the Antikythera Mechanism, the world's first analog computer, something almost alien in terms of just how advanced this system truly was when built around 205 BC.

"The complex clocklike assembly of bronze gears and display dials predates other known examples of similar technology by more than 1,000 years. It accurately predicted lunar and solar eclipses, as well as solar, lunar and planetary positions," the Times described the ancient mechanism, which measures just about 8 inches across.

For good measure, the mechanism also tracked the dates of the Olympic Games. Although it was not programmable in the modern sense, some have called it the first analog computer.

Interestingly enough, this may only be the beginning.

Last fall, an expedition led by Woods Hole and Greek government scientists began the first systematic, scientific investigation of the site of the shipwreck where the mechanism was found. The dive was shortened to just five days because of bad weather, but the scientists plan to return next spring.

I, for one, cannot wait to see whether other artifacts like the mechanism may come forth in the spring of 2015. :)