A group of Argentine scientists has proposed a new theory that the Antikythera Mechanism, often considered the world’s first computer, may have been an elaborate toy rather than a sophisticated astronomical tool.
The study, reported by the Daily Mail, challenges the prevailing scholarly view that the ancient device was used for tracking celestial bodies and forecasting eclipses.
Discovered in 1900 in a Roman-era shipwreck off the Greek island of Antikythera, the mechanism consists of a complex system of at least 40 hand-crafted bronze gears found within a wooden box.
Researchers from the National University of Mar del Plata simulated the gear system using computer models, focusing on the triangular shape of the gear teeth.
Their simulations revealed significant mechanical inaccuracies that would likely have caused the system to jam frequently, making it impractical for scientific calculations.
"The inaccuracies in its construction would significantly increase the likelihood of gear jamming or disengagement," the research team stated.
They also pointed out the irregular motion resulting from the triangular teeth, which would have led to inconsistent speeds as the gears turned.
Based on these findings, the scientists suggest the mechanism may have been built as an intricate educational model or even a child’s toy. However, they acknowledged that the high level of craftsmanship involved raises doubts about such a complex item being created solely for entertainment. “It seems unlikely that someone would build such a sophisticated yet non-functional device,” the researchers concluded.
The Antikythera Mechanism, dated to around 100 B.C., continues to be a subject of academic debate. Previous research, including 2008 scans, confirmed its ability to model planetary movements and track important dates in the Greek calendar, such as the Olympic Games.
Only about a third of the device has survived, making definitive conclusions challenging. British astrophysicist Mike Edmunds has also previously suggested that the mechanism likely served a pedagogical rather than a purely practical role.
The new theory, which has not yet undergone peer review, was published on the preprint server arXiv. The researchers are advocating for the use of more advanced technical methods to better understand the device’s true precision and intended purpose.