Calendars with Olympiad display and eclipse prediction on the Antikythera Mechanism
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2447-2158.i10p254-322Keywords:
Calendars, Olympiad, Eclipse, Antikythera mechanismAbstract
This article presents the pioneering investigations carried out by member researchers (Freeth et. Al., 2008) of the Anticitera Mechanism Research Project and demonstrate, based on scientific and technological analyzes of the 82 bronze fragments, their inscriptions and gears, the structure and the functions of the first analog computer in history, the Anticitera Mechanism, dated between the centuries150 BC -100 BC, by these authors.
The apparatus, in this context, represents the existence of mechanical design and high technology, certainly involved in this device, capable of predicting astronomical data both from the past, the present and the future.
To better expose their investigations regarding calendars showing the Olympics and forecasting eclipses located at the back of the mechanism, the authors present the data analyzed from the dials; Metonic (upper part) and its subsidiary clocks from the Olympics and the Calyptic cycle, and, the Saros (lower part) with detailed exposure, of the fragments that make up each of the dials, the structure of these calendars, with interpretations and glyph combinations, observations of Babylonian schemes for predictions of lunar and solar eclipses, followed by the identification of problems with the hour glyphs of these predictions.
Given this context, it is worth noting that, some researchers from the São Paulo University's History of Science Center established in Brazil (2017) an Anticitera Mechanism Research Project and has as partners the Catavento Cultural Museum of São Paulo, which it exhibits in Universe space, a replica of the device - donated by the project leaders -, the Renato Archer Information Technology Center (CTI), and the Three-dimensional Technologies Nucleus (NT3D), from Campinas São Paulo, which are joining forces to rebuild a dynamic replica from the apparatus with all its possible functions discovered so far in order to enable access to history as a heritage of all humanity and to enhance technological and museum education in the historical, cultural and scientific scenario.
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