> Posted on 02/17/2024 10:57:26 PM PST by Red Badger
>
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Marvel: The Greek-Mexican Collaboration Behind the Hermosillo Antikythera Mechanism
On the evening of February 8th, the garden of the Physics Research Department at the University of Sonora in Hermosillo became the focal point of a remarkable cultural and scientific event. The Inauguration and Commissioning Ceremony of the Monumental Antikythera Mechanism for Hermosillo (MAMH) unfolded, marking a significant milestone in the collaboration between Greek and Mexican scientists and craftsmen. This event not only celebrated the culmination of years of meticulous research and craftsmanship but also the enduring spirit of international cooperation and the shared human quest for knowledge and innovation.
THE ENIGMATIC ANTIKYTHERA MECHANISM: A TIMELESS TREASURE
The Antikythera Mechanism, often hailed as the world's first analog computer, stands as a testament to the extraordinary ingenuity of ancient Greek science. Discovered in a shipwreck off the coast of the Greek island of Antikythera in 1901, this intricate device, dating back to around 100 BC, has fascinated historians, scientists, and archaeologists alike.
Its complex system of bronze gears and dials was used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses for calendrical and astrological purposes, embodying a level of technological sophistication that would not be matched for centuries. This ancient marvel not only highlights the advanced understanding of astronomy and mathematics in the Hellenic world but also serves as a poignant reminder of humanity's enduring quest to comprehend the cosmos.
The value of the Antikythera Mechanism extends far beyond its mechanical complexity; it is a cultural and scientific beacon that illuminates the interconnectedness of ancient civilizations and their relentless pursuit of knowledge. As researchers continue to decode its secrets, the mechanism offers invaluable insights into the technological capabilities and philosophical inquiries of the ancient Greeks. It challenges our perceptions of ancient science, providing a tangible link to our intellectual ancestors and their efforts to reconcile the movements of the heavens with the rhythms of human life.
The Antikythera Mechanism, therefore, is not just an archaeological artifact; it is a symbol of the enduring human desire to explore, understand, and innovate, bridging the gap between the ancient and the modern in the continuous journey of discovery.
THE CEREMONY
The ceremony was officiated by distinguished figures such as Dr. Alfonso Durazo Montaño, Governor of Sonora, and Dr. Maria Rita Plancarte Martines, Chancellor of the Universidad de Sonora. The presence of Mr. Nikolaos Koutrokois, the Ambassador of Greece, along with a delegation from the Embassy, underscored the importance of this cross-cultural project. The event was broadcast online, allowing a global audience to partake in this momentous occasion and highlighting the project's significance not just for those directly involved but for the wider community interested in the convergence of history, science, and art.
THE MONUMENTAL ANTIKYTHERA MECHANISM
The astronomical planetarium clock, which now resides in the verdant surroundings of the University of Sonora, is a testament to the ingenuity of ancient Greek scientists and the skill of modern Mexican craftsmen. Inspired by the Antikythera Mechanism, an ancient Greek device known for its astonishing complexity and precision, the MAMH represents a bridge between the past and present, showcasing how ancient wisdom can inform and inspire contemporary science and art.
Professor Xenophon Mousas of the Physics Department at NKUA, along with a dedicated team of Greek and Mexican scientists, spearheaded this project. The collaboration was initiated following an exhibition of the Antikythera Mechanism at the University of Sonora by Professor Mousas, igniting a shared passion for bringing this ancient marvel into the modern era in monumental form.
COLLABORATION AND CRAFTSMANSHIP
The soul of the MAMH project, Mexican Professor Raul Perez Enriquez, along with the expertise of Relojes Olvera III Generación, a company renowned for its craftsmanship in large clocks, played a pivotal role in bringing the vision to life. With contributions from Mr. Jesus Clemente Olvera Trejo and Ing. Alfredo Carmona Martinez, the project embodies a fusion of scientific precision and artisanal excellence.
Professors Julio Cesar Saucedo Morales and Ezequiel Rodriguez Jauregui from the University of Sonora contributed significantly to the project, underscoring the collaborative spirit that defines MAMH. The support from both the University and State of Sonora, along with Relojes Olvera, highlights the broad base of support and belief in the value of this undertaking.
A TESTAMENT TO HUMAN INGENUITY
The MAMH stands not just as a scientific instrument but as a symbol of the enduring human quest for understanding the cosmos and our place within it. It is a reminder of the rich tapestry of human history and the unbroken thread of curiosity and ingenuity that spans cultures and millennia. This project, bridging the ancient and the modern, the Greek and the Mexican, serves as a powerful testament to what can be achieved when diverse cultures come together in the pursuit of knowledge and beauty.
In celebrating the inauguration of the Monumental Antikythera Mechanism for Hermosillo, we are reminded of the shared heritage of humanity, our common quest for knowledge, and the beauty that arises from the confluence of science, art, and history. It is a beacon of cooperation, a melding of ancient wisdom with modern technology, and a symbol of the boundless potential that lies at the intersection of cultures.
VIDEO AT LINK.........................
Antikythera in Mexico Ping!......................
The rest of the keywords, sorted, duplicates out:
Thanks Red Badger.
Indiana Jones is going to want that thingie back.
Otherwise the Nazis may get it and then they will be able to travel back in time to kill Hitler.
Yeah, I don’t understand that last part either.
” I don’t understand”
High brow stuff ... I think I better wait for the movie .
You would think that something requiring so many intricate steps to make would not be a one off...
I wonder why more of them have not been found.
The idea of mass production was 2000 years in their future. EVERYTHING they made was hand-crafted. That thing probably took years to make. Consider how long it took John Harrison to make the first successful seagoing chronometer by hand.
Credit should have been given to Carl Zeiss IMT, who built the X-ray CAT scanner that enabled the researchers to see inside those corroded lumps and measure the parts so precisely.
Maybe this was the prototype and the inventor died in the shipwreck..............
It seems proof that the human mind has not changed much. The ancients were as smart as those alive, today. The available technology is almost all of the difference.
It also appears that the ancients solved many problems in ways we no longer understand. With limited technology, they came up with many ingenious solutions.
I decided to find out more about this amazing scientific discovery and artifact. See detailed description at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism
Dates I list here are approximate. The bits and pieces began to be found in 1901 in a 60 to 70 BC Roman shipwreck. Over the years other parts have been found in the sea including in this century, or in storage in various museums. Construction and callibration seems to have begun around 200 BC. Solar, lunar, and Olympic cycle calculations appear to have been part of the mechanism, among others. A part(s) dealing with planetary calculations appears to have not yet been found. Given this and other choice artifacts found in the shipwreck, my guess is that this was part of organized theft of Greek items of value by predatory Romans (governmental or private) as part of the overall conquest of Greece and their civilization.
The work appears to have been a collaboration among lead scietistists of that day and developed over time to try to integrate much of the astronomical science knowledge of that period. I would guess much like the importance and complexity of cooperation represented by our own NASA astronomical collaborations. I doubt extraterrestrials were involved. It would probably have required the very best craftsmen working with the greatest minds to develop and coordinate such complexity. As to were more than one produced? My guess is that some of the subunits probably had prototypes and final parts made, but this find probably represents the sole culmination of much work over time. I ask the question of you all, why is there only one Mona Lisa painting, one Sistene Chapel ceiling painting, or one David marble statue? Yes, there are copies, but only one original of vast cost and value.
At any rate, check out the link for a greater appreciation of the depth and range of Greek intellect and curiosity of that period. Not to be rediscovered and developed further until our own 1700s, around 3 centuries ago.
When the Roman ship was sunk was probably long after the original scientists had died. This artifact may have been found in a cultural center of Greek heritage as an example of their best science, or for calculating the Greek culture’s main religious or cultural events like the Olympic games or solstices or eclipses. The shipwreck found in 1901 probably represents a final phase of Rome expropriating all that was important of Greek civilization so they could copy and enjoy the brilliance and originality of Greek civilization. Romans were great copiers and conquerors, but their mentality did not begin to have the creativity of imagination of the Greek/Egyption collaboration. Kind of like the Russians of our day where creativity/imagination does not prosper under dictatorships except for artifacts of war.
My hat is off to this small city in Mexico, honoring the best of our inherited civilization. It is so easy to pass off Mexico as the home of drug cartels and poor immigrants.
I thought my hats off to Mexico in comment #15 might interest you, but it took me a while to find the correct spelling of your “name.”
My guess is that the Mechanism, while extraordinary, was of minimal practical use. After all, in the ancient world, the usual means of navigation in the Mediterranean were simple instruments, portolan maps, and practical experience.
The larger point though is that the development of science and technology often involves people making connections between abstract intellectual theories, lab devices and playthings, and the real world as scientifically and technologically adept minds make practical innovations.
James Watt, for example, was an instrument maker at the University of Glasgow when he became interested in steam engines. He realized that contemporary engine designs based on Newcomen's steam water pump wasted a great deal of energy. Watt added a condenser that radically improved steam engines, along with an adaptation for rotary motion which greatly broadened its use. Thus began the steam age.
If the ancient world of Greece and Rome had more mechanical devices and more makers and craftsmen of machines and instruments they might have come up with steam power and begun that technological transformation much earlier. I think the Antikythera Mechanism is not so much as dead end as a lost beginning.
Eventually, through the Renaissance and practical innovations, Greek and Roman rationalism and practical needs endorsed by Christianity led to the rise of science and technology in the West. The Antikythera Mechanism tells us that with better luck, ancient Greek and Rome might have gotten there centuries earlier.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
