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Interesting article about a 2000 year old astronomical computer found
in Greece...

     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism

Excerpts:

The Antikythera mechanism is an ancient mechanical analog computer
(as opposed to digital computer) designed to calculate astronomical
positions. It was discovered in the Antikythera wreck off the Greek
island of Antikythera, between Kythera and Crete, and has been dated
to about 80 BCE.

The device uses a differential gear ? previously believed to have
been invented in the 16th century ? and is known for the level of
miniaturization and complexity of its parts, which is comparable to
that of clocks made in the 18th century.

The device was about 30 cm by 15 cm in width and breadth, made of
bronze and originally mounted in a wooden frame. It was inscribed
with a text of over 2,000 characters, of which about 95% have been
deciphered. The full text of the inscription has not yet been published.

On June 6, 2006 it was announced that the imaging system had enabled
much more of the Greek inscription to be viewed and translated, from
about 1,000 characters that were visible previously, to about 2,000
characters, representing about 95% of the complete text. The team's
findings might shed new light concerning the function and purpose of
the Antikythera mechanism. Research is ongoing.

   

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