12. The Antikythera Mechanism, Greece
The Antikythera Mechanism, discovered in 1901 in a Roman shipwreck off the Greek island of Antikyera, is an ancient Greek device dating back to the end of the second century BCE. It comprises a complex system of bronze gears housed in a wooden frame, designed to predict astronomical positions and eclipses. This mechanism is considered the world’s oldest known analog computer, showcasing remarkable engineering and astronomical knowledge of the time. For a detailed study, refer to the article “Decoding the ancient Greek astronomical calculator known as the Antikythera Mechanism” published in Nature (nature.com).
