In the early 1900s spongers diving near the island of Antikythera in Greece, they accidentally discovered a 2,000+ year old “mystery”.

Instead of sponges they found the wreck of a ship. More than 200 amphorae, silver coins, marble sculptures, utensils, lamps and elaborate vases were recovered from it, and a “mechanism”, the significance of which was not immediately understood…

Since then, Mr “Antikythera mechanism”, has become known all over the world, while new researches in the “Antikythera Shipwreck” are trying to bring to the surface… secrets that sunk with the ship and why not, new archaeological treasures. Who did the ship belong to? Why did he carry so many treasures? Why did it sink?

At the same time, international scientists are trying to explain what exactly was the function of the famous “Antikythera Mechanism”, which is considered the most “technologically complex object” of the Ancient World and according to others the “first mechanical computer”.

There were not a few who attempted to reconstruct the “Mechanism”, which was said to be able, among other things, to predict the movements of the planets, the sun and the moon.

Those who visit Greece can visit the National Archaeological Museum in Athens to discover the history of this scientific wonder of antiquity, the Consulate of Greece in Perth pointed out in an online post.

“Fortunately,” he added, “there is now an opportunity to get a hands-on experience of the operation of the ‘Mechanism’ here in Western Australia.”

“Dedicating years to research and painstaking work, Greek-Australian Dr. Nick Andronis from D.A. has reconstructed a copy of the ‘Mechanism”.

“After months of preparations, the replica is set to go on display at WA Museum Boola Bardip from March 25, which coincides with Greece’s National Day.”

“The Consulate of Greece in Perth has proudly supported the effort from the beginning and we cannot hide our excitement that the ‘Antikythera Mechanism’ will form part of the Museum’s exhibits, along with the replica of the Parthenon Frieze.”

It is recalled that the replica of the Parthenon Frieze located in the new Boola Bardip Museum in Western Australia, emerges and…”comes alive” with the help of technology.

Visitors can see the exhibit closer than ever, as it was created in the room that hosts a special balcony, but also… paint it, thanks to the impressive, interactive lighting created by the artist, Sam Price.

Museum (WA Museum Boola Bardip) on the ‘Antikythera Mechanism’ pointed out that it has been ‘steeped’ in mystery since its discovery more than 120 years ago, it has inspired people around the world to build models, with varying degrees of accuracy , in order to understand its mechanical precision.

Known as the “first mechanical computer”, the “Antikythera Mechanism” was a complex device created in Ancient Greece around 200 BC.

Its approximately 69 gears performed complex mathematical calculations to predict the position of the sun, moon and planets. It was also used to track the phases of the moon, solar and lunar eclipses as seen between Cyprus and Sicily.

In 2022, Western Australian engineer Dr. Nick Andronis completed a scale replica with outstanding technical accuracy.

He studied the latest research on “Mechanism”, including extremely detailed CT scans, and wanted to reproduce, as closely as possible, the tools and techniques that would have been available to the Ancient Greeks.

Visit these exquisitely handcrafted replicas crafted from bronze and sheoak, jarrah, wandoo and Tasmanian pine. Activate the ‘upgraded’ wooden version to see how the mechanism works as you learn more about the extraordinary history of the ‘Antikythera Mechanism’.

Finally, it is underlined that the WA Museum would like to acknowledge the contribution of Ms Georgia Karasiotou and the Consulate of Greece in Perth, Dr Nick Andronis, Dr Tony Freeth and the National Archaeological Museum of Athens for their contribution to this exhibition.

Dr Nick Andronis PhD CPEng spoke to Neo Kosmos and Alex Economou last year, describing the Antikythera Mechanism, to “a 2,200-year-old ancient Greek portable planetarium” and “the first known analog computer that marked the beginning of modern IT”.

He started rebuilding the “Antikythera Mechanism”* six years ago. For him, what interested him was the process of making it, and not so much its use.

“I stopped counting the cost when I got over $10,000. To me the mystery lies in the construction of the original mechanism, the pieces of which are numbered, suggesting that more were made,” he said.

“Only when you build it and try to operate it, you understand the complexity and genius of this ancient Greek design.”

“Looking at this machine I feel a huge loss as it is part of our lost cultural heritage. We must sensitize society to the role of Greek science in our lives…”.

*If you would like to learn how to build your own “Antikythera Mechanism” to Dr. Nick Andronis’ exact specifications, visit www.amclock.net.