“AN ANCIENT GREEK COMPUTER”, A NEW SECTION OF THE EXHIBITION "VOYAGE"
Under the Auspices of the Hellenic Navy General Staff
Watch the video for more information on the new section of Antikythera Mechanism, here
Watch the video of "Voyage", here
A new section has enriched the exhibition VOYAGE – Greek Shipbuilding and Seafaring from antiquity to modern times, focusing on the century of research during which scientists have tried to understand the Antikythera Mechanism. Through rare exhibits that are being shown for the first time, early and contemporary models of the mechanism, explanatory texts, drawings and photographs, the Museum Herakleidon is presenting to the general public pivotal moments in the study of the most complicated mechanism of antiquity (2nd-1st cent. BC), aiming to showcase the advanced scientific knowledge of the ancient Greeks, their mathematical and technological achievements and, most importantly, their innovative spirit.
Among others, the new acquisitions of the Museum Herakleidon include:
-The early, historical model of the mechanism, constructed of a cigar box and cardboard by the British physicist, mathematician and science historian, Derek de Solla Price, who proved that it was not an astrolabe, as scientists had believed until then, but “the oldest surviving example of scientific technology and completely changes our ideas about ancient Greek technology” (Scientific American, 1959).
-The first of three bronze models of the mechanism, built in 1980 by the American professor of Geophysics and Astrophysics Robert Deroski, based on the research of Price (who gifted another copy of the mechanism to the National Archaeological Museum).
-Unpublished technical drawings of the mechanism by Derek de Solla Price.
The new section of “Voyage” also include:
-Α more recent interactive reproduction of the mechanism (Manufacturer: Dr. Markos Skoulatos, PhD in Physics),
-A series of radiographs of the mechanism and other unpublished documents of the nuclear physicist of National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Charalambos P. Karakalos, who closely collaborated with Price and provided him invaluable help in the mid-20th century.
Furthermore, within the new section “An Ancient Greek Computer”, a drawing reproducing the ancient workshop of the unknown creators of the Antikythera Mechanism is shown for the first time, created by the archaeologist Yannis Nakas.
The exhibition VOYAGE is a history of maritime voyages, achievements in naval architecture, exchange of ideas and technological developments, presented through handmade wooden models of Greek ships, selected works of art, nautical instruments, maps, video projections, explanatory drawings and a special edition catalogue in two languages. The goal of the exhibition is to present to the visitors, in a coherent and comprehensible manner, the history of Greek seafaring and shipbuilding, giving them a chance to take a mental trip back in time to discover the close and timeless relationship of the Greek people with the sea.
UNDER THE AEGIS
