Shipwrecked Science

Hellenistic Tech Time Capsule

C. N. Vujanovic

“SUPERNATURAL”. That’s how the pre-modern world would see our technology, right? They’d think we’re gods with our planes, cars, instant messaging and food delivery. 

That’s what I thought too. But it turns out that computers have existed for thousands of years. And we only found out in 1901.

‘Once upon a time, a couple of divers discovered an ancient shipwreck at the bottom of the sea. Among its decaying ruins, they find a mysterious device so technologically advanced that it might be from the future…’

It sounds like the start of a Sci-Fi novel, but this actually happened!

Off the coast of Greece, near the island of Antikythera, we found what is now referred to as ‘the world’s oldest computer’ or a ‘mechanical cosmos’. (It’s an analogue computer for those of you wondering how they could’ve created the iPhone before Steve Jobs.)

Nonetheless, this device could predict and simulate the motions of the heavenly bodies and show them on display, in motion. Many thought it had simply fallen next to an ancient shipwreck, with its gears and mechanisms more complex than a Swiss watch. 

But how did they create such an incredible device?

Well, it was made at a time of nearly unparalleled scientific and technological innovation. Unfortunately, this period is what is known as the Hellenistic Period, a time we unfortunately know little about (323 BC to 31 BC).

The period’s achievements included Archamedies making the first steps to developing calculus (which was lost and would have to be rediscovered much later in the 17th century), Eratosthenes measuring the size of the earth with 90% accuracy, and Hero of Alexandria developing the first steam engine. I could go on, but the point is that this period was highly advanced.

I wonder, where would we be if we’d continue along this trajectory? What would our world look like now? Rick Riordan had an idea.

Let me see if I can paint that out next week.