The Antikythera mechanism

Time is ticking on a 2,000-year-old mystery. Will you solve this ancient riddle?

The Antikythera mechanism has baffled experts ever since it was hauled up from the bottom of the sea at the beginning of the 20th century. This strange device contains a complex system of gears and it is estimated to be more than 2,000 years old, but the mechanism’s design appears to be way ahead of its time. In the 2023 film Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, it is called the Archimedes Dial and used for time travel. Whether that is the true purpose of the device or not, one thing is clear – there are many questions swirling around this machine. Let’s investigate this timeless mystery.

A surprising discovery

In 1900, Elias Stadiatis spotted a shipwreck in the sea near Antikythera, a Greek island. Stadiatis was part of a group of divers who had been looking for underwater creatures called sea sponges. An impressive list of treasures was recovered from the wreck, including three lifesize horse statues, jewellery and coins. However, the most remarkable find of all didn’t look like much at first. The dull lump of corroded bronze encased in a small wooden box turned out to be the futuristic device that became known as the Antikythera mechanism.