According to a new study, the famous Anti -kiteric mechanism It turned out “Luxurious toy”, not “Ancient Computer.”
The legendary mechanism that inspired Dial of Destiny (dial of fate) from film about Indiana JonesFor decades, it has been considered the most advanced technological achievement of antiquity.
It all started in 1901when divers behind the sponges off the coast Antikiters They found a strange, corrosion, a copper object among the fragments of an ancient shipwreck.
What originally looked like a shapeless mass of metal turned out to be a device of unique complexity (as for the period of its creation), created more 2000 years agoat the end of the II or beginning of the 1st century BC. The scientific community soon enthralled. Some counted him ancient “computer”capable of predicting the movements of heavenly bodies.
Others nominated theories about extraterrestrial technologiesSeeing the mechanism proof of cosmic influence. Until recently, it was believed that it was a mechanical device with 40 copper gears Designed to track the movements of the sun, moon and planets. The user rotated the handle, and the mechanism through the complex system of internal parts gave out forecasts of astronomical phenomena.
Researchers from the National University Mar-del pay In Argentina, a computer model of the mechanism was created, focusing on the form of gear teeth: they were triangular, which caused serious technical problems.
“Constructive inaccuracies significantly increase the likelihood of jamming or disconnection of gears.” – explain scientists.
The analysis showed that the mechanism could get stuck, because of which he would not work effectively. The geometry of the teeth creates an uneven movement, “Causing acceleration and slowdown when giving each tooth”. Researchers suggested that it could be Non -functional demonstration sample or even a toy.
Having studied the data, they do not exclude that the device was created “To entertain the child” Or as a luxurious educational object to create an impression. However, scientists admit that the skill with which the mechanism is made indicates a high level of technical knowledge.
As the researchers themselves note, “It seems unlikely that someone creates such a complex, but non-functional device”which leaves the question open.
It is important to consider that only a third of the initial mechanism has been preserved. Therefore, simulation may not fully reflect its original design. How scientists emphasize “Our results should be interpreted with caution”.
British astrophysicist Mike Edmunds A few years ago he suggested that Anti -kiteric mechanism It could not be an accurate tool, but by an educational demonstration. A new study supports this hypothesis.
“According to our assumptions, the errors identified by the Edmunds exceed the permissible limits necessary to prevent failures”, – reported by Argentinean researchers.
The study is published on the preprint server Arxiv (online platform for the preliminary publication of scientific works), but other scientists have not yet been reviewed.
More Stories
Athos monks opposed the governor due to the expulsion of the inhabitants
Actress Nina Grebeshkova passed away
An unknown fact about the statues of the gods in ancient Greece, about which we did not know