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Gravitational Wave Researchers Cast New Light on Antikythera Mechanism
MINOAN computer a million years ago
Gravitational Wave Researchers Cast New Light on Antikythera Mechanism
University of Glasgow
Techniques developed to analyze the ripples in spacetime detected by one of the 21st century’s most sensitive pieces of scientific equipment have helped cast new light on the function of the oldest known analogue computer.
Astronomers from the University of Glasgow have used statistical modelling techniques developed to analyze gravitational waves to establish the likely number of holes in one of the broken rings of the Antikythera mechanism – an ancient artifact which was showcased in the movie Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
While the movie version enabled the intrepid archaeologist to travel through time, the Glasgow team’s results provide fresh evidence that one of the components of the Antikythera mechanism was most likely used to track the Greek lunar year. They also offer new insight into the remarkable craftsmanship of the ancient Greeks.
- Ancient Marvels: Ten Amazing Inventions Created Before Their Time
- Ancient Greek Science and Technology – From Antikythera to Pharos
Discovering the Antikythera Mechanism
The mechanism was discovered in 1901 by divers exploring a sunken shipwreck near the Aegean island of Antikythera. Although the shoebox-sized mechanism had broken into fragments and eroded, it quickly became clear that it contained a complex series of gears which were unusually intricately tooled.
Decades of subsequent research and analysis have established that the mechanism dates from the second century BC and functioned as a kind of hand-operated mechanical computer. Exterior dials connected to the internal gears allowed users to predict eclipses and calculate the astronomical positions of planets on any given date with an accuracy unparalleled by any other known contemporary device.
Inscriptions found on the Antikythera mechanism led to a number of breakthroughs in the creation of the “theoretically” rebuilt Antikythera device. (Tony Freeth et al. / Nature)
Reassessing the Mechanisms Specifications
In 2020, new X-ray images of one of the mechanism’s rings, known as
the calendar ring, revealed fresh details of regularly spaced holes that
sit beneath the ring. Since the ring was broken and incomplete,
however, it wasn’t clear how just how many holes were there originally.
Initial analysis by Antikythera researcher Chris Budiselic and
colleagues suggested it was likely somewhere between 347 and 367.
Now, in a new paper published in the Horological Journal,
the Glasgow researchers describe how they used two statistical analysis
techniques to reveal new details about the calendar ring.
They show that the ring is vastly more likely to have had 354 holes, corresponding to the lunar calendar, than 365 holes, which would have followed the Egyptian calendar. The analysis also shows that 354 holes is hundreds of times more probable than a 360-hole ring, which previous research had suggested as a possible count.
Professor Graham Woan, of the University of Glasgow’s School of Physics & Astronomy, is one of the authors of the paper. He said: “Towards the end of last year, a colleague pointed to me to data acquired by YouTuber Chris Budiselic, who was looking to make a replica of the calendar ring and was investigating ways to determine just how many holes it contained.
“It struck me as an interesting problem, and one that I thought I might be able to solve in a different way during the Christmas holidays, so I set about using some statistical techniques to answer the question.”
The Antikythera Mechanism (Fragment A – front); visible is the largest gear in the mechanism, approximately 14 centimeters (5.5 inches) in diameter. (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Statistical Probability and Gravitational Waves
Professor Woan used a technique called Bayesian analysis, which uses probability to quantify uncertainty based on incomplete data, to calculate the likely number of holes in the mechanism using the positions of the surviving holes and the placement of the ring’s surviving six fragments. His results showed strong evidence that the mechanism’s calendar ring contained either 354 or 355 holes.
At the same time, one of Professor Woan’s colleagues at the University’s Institute for Gravitational Research, Dr Joseph Bayley, had also heard about the problem. He adapted techniques used by their research group to analyze the signals picked up by the LIGO gravitational wave detectors, which measure the tiny ripples in spacetime, caused by massive astronomical events like the collision of black holes, as they pass through the Earth, to scrutinize the calendar ring.
The Markov Chain Monte Carlo and nested sampling methods Woan and Bayley used provided a comprehensive probabilistic set of results, again suggested that the ring most likely contained 354 or 355 holes in a circle of radius 77.1mm, with an uncertainty of about 1/3 mm. It also reveals that the holes were precisely positioned with extraordinary accuracy, with an average radial variation of just 0.028mm between each hole.
Bayley, a co-author of the paper, is a research associate at the School of Physics & Astronomy. He said:
“Previous studies had suggested that the calendar ring was likely to have tracked the lunar calendar, but the dual techniques we’ve applied in this piece of work greatly increase the likelihood that this was the case.
It’s given me a new appreciation for the Antikythera mechanism and the work and care that Greek craftspeople put into making it – the precision of the holes’ positioning would have required highly accurate measurement techniques and an incredibly steady hand to punch them.”
Professor Woan added:
“It’s a neat symmetry that we’ve adapted techniques we use to study the universe today to understand more about a mechanism that helped people keep track of the heavens nearly two millennia ago.
We hope that our findings about the Antikythera mechanism, although less supernaturally spectacular than those made by Indiana Jones, will help deepen our understanding of how this remarkable device was made and used by the Greeks.”
The paper, titled ‘An Improved Calendar Ring Hole-Count for the Antikythera Mechanism: A Fresh Analysis’, is published in Horological Journal.
Top image: Antikythera Mechanism on display at the National Archaeological Museum, Athens. Source: Joyofmuseums/CC BY-SA 4.0
This article was first published under the title, ‘Gravitational Wave Researchers Cast New Light on Antikythera Mechanism’, and has been lightly edited, with spelling Americanized.
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👉👉👉The Antikythera Mechanism: Who Designed the World’s Oldest Astronomical Computer?
Something We Were Never Meant to See
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, 1941. Photograph by Marion Post Wolcott. [Library of Congress]
... Thus began my journey down the rabbit hole and into the den of other people’s secrets that became the setting for my book. The secrets I uncovered soon involved more than just murder, suicide, baby-selling, and a founding father’s family. They also involved bigamy, blackmail, debt, rape, incest, guillotining, corpse-skinning, child abuse, mental illness, and (not to be outdone by any of that) elk-poaching.
OMG: https://www.historynewsnetwork.org/article/something-we-were-never-meant-to-see
Man regrets his choices in life - wasting the most valuable gift of all
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." - Soren Kierkegaard
The perpetrators do not require cooperation from anybody from this point onwards
By Dr. Michael Yeadon May 5, 2024
Now, I’m well aware this is terrifying and a common reaction is to dismiss it. However, it fits horribly well with what we know already. I’m probably able to imagine it because parts of it are already proven in my mind (the intentional harms from the totally superfluous injections).
I continue to recommend two things.
1. Invest your own time & thought into waking up others. Be selfless. It’s your best defence to dilute what’s coming, as more people will become allies in unpredictable ways.
2. Do something rather than nothing to prepare for a period of discontinuity. I’m talking basic food and water, basic meds, some things you can barter with, some skills you might have, something to defend yourself with, better yet, a safe place to be if the SHTF. If you’re already a grower, great. Grow stuff. I don’t think I can do that. I’m not in one place long enough. You might be bored on a narrow diet, but enough calories and nutrients plus clean water means you can sustain yourself for some considerable time. Time means you don’t HAVE to go out into the melee when it’s at its worst. If there are people you can trust with your life, talk with them. Get right with the power in your universe that is important for you.
If nothing happens, laugh.
Unfortunately, the way I see it, the perpetrators of the ongoing “cv-19 super crime” need do nothing more than to play out their existing hand, to reduce the population to any value they choose.
Here’s my near term summary of what I think they’re up to:
1. A new event will trigger obligatory digital ID (eg for rations).
2. If 1. isn’t a financial crisis, one of which they can trigger at any time, will destroy all sovereign currencies and steal almost all private property (David Rogers Webb). Total dependence upon the state in order even to be fed. CBDC (digital-only money) introduced.
3. Lies about a wave of pandemics. Pharma will pretend to make mRNA vaccines. Govts will mandate them (if WHO hadn’t already done so). Digital ID validity will depend upon being up to date on jabs. No jab, no food. CBDC simply won’t work.
4. Rinse and repeat until population reaches their desired levels. I think it’s likely many countries will be completely emptied, removing the need for the authorities to have to pretend that recovery is even the dream, let alone intent.
The perpetrators have such control of main media and almost all internet traffic. If we reach point 1. without insurrection, we’re done in any case.
The perpetrators do not require cooperation from anybody from this point onwards.
Best wishes,
Mike
National Sword | Plastic Pollution
Operation National Sword
When China joined the World Trade Organization, they started taking in the most of the world’s scrap. The shift coincided with a ramping up of global exports, and China sold wares all around the world in shipping containers. Rather than sending these containers back to China empty, it made sense to fill them with heavy bales of recycling. This made the whole cycle more cost-effective, and it became cheaper to send recycling to China than anywhere else. Cities around the world were able to subsidize their recycling program with the money from selling their waste, while also not having to deal with as much of the process — at least until National Sword.
Basically, National Sword was China’s ban on foreign recyclables. It banned four categories and 24 types on imports starting in 2018. And National Sword has steadily expanded, banning more recyclables since then, and it could potentially lead to the banning of all incoming recyclable materials by 2020, but that piece isn’t entirely clear yet. No one is sure exactly why this shift in policy happened, but some experts point to one particular turning point: a documentary film.
The little girl washes her face in the gray plastic-polluted water and eats fish that have choked on bits of plastic.
diving into mermaid-lore
🪄 Beachcombing's Bizarre History Blog
5/1/2024Karl Banse: The Man Who Made the Case for Mermaids
Author: Beach Combing | in : Modern , trackback
Just a quick post as we move towards the summer. The podcast goes on with me and Chris recently talking about fairy artifacts, the Philip experiment (‘how to invent a ghost’) and this month ‘spectral evidence: the supernatural in court’. I, meanwhile, am diving into mermaid-lore, a love that started many years ago on this blog. How i used to enjoy mermaid Monday.
In my explorations I ran across this superb, superb academic article that deserves to be better known. In 1990 the prestigious marine biologist, Karl Banse published a piece ‘Mermaids – their biology, culture and demise’ in that esteemed periodical Limnology and Oceanography. I have a back run in one of my French chateaus, I think.
The article makes the case that… Well, let’s break it down.
There were three species of sea-mammals that correspond to the mythical mermaid: Siren sirena – Mediterranean-Lusitanian distribution; Siren indica – restricted to the Atlantic side of the Americas; Siren erythraea – the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Indonesian archipelago.
There were sightings further to the north, particularly in the Atlantic and these were mermaids moving icewards to look for Arctic shells to use as currency in their warmer homes.
The reason that we have not found a real mermaid is that they were wiped out by a plague of jellyfish in the early modern period.
The bibliography is the most extraordinary mix of sobre marine biology and mermaid ficts including The Little Mermaid, naturally in the original Danish. I also liked this sentence: ‘In considering the culture of mermaids two facts of life in the marine realm the lack of fire (hence no pottery or metallurgy) and the absence of fibers suitable for baskertry, clothing, or ropes must be considered…’
Banse was having some fun – an extended version of the paper had been read at a symposium celebrating his sixtieth birthday. I would have loved to have heard the stunned silence. But as a wimpy humanities scholar I confess to wondering, on my first read through, whether KB had simply gone off the deep end and no one had had the courage to tell him so.
As far as real mermaids are concerned I’ve been gathering together all the sightings I can find for the home islands (Britain, Ireland). I have moments where I wonder if there is not something there. I’ve been particularly impressed at the arguments that manatee ended up on the wrong side of the Atlantic from time to time. If anyone knows a marine biologist who is up for some fun, I’d love to share the best eye-witness accounts. drbeachcombing AT gmail DOT com
Related posts
- Catching Mermaids on Man
- A Dublin Haunted House Case
- One Man’s Tulip, Another Man’s Onion
- Swearing to Mermaids
- Mermaids, Ahoy!
Plastic Brick Homes?
Recycled Plastic Block Houses? YES
While Byfusion Technology is perfectly suited for certain situations, Harvey’s block making process is taking a decidedly different approach, one best suited for less developed countries where modern materials are not affordable. Harvey’s focus is on simple, low-tech solutions. Virtually anyone with access to plastic trash, no matter how poor, can start generating an income and making blocks for their home with his machine. And even though his plastic blocks aren’t as uniform as Byfusions’, they are certainly adequate for building simple houses.
Plastic block press showing all parts and measurements.
(PHOTO) Final plastic block under 3,400 pounds per front wheel weight. The block compressed about three quarters of an inch with the weight on it. The block returned to its original shape when the weight was removed.
Turn low value plastic trash into valuable building blocks with a $300 homemade press.
December 15, 2010, was a big day for Harvey Lacey, the maker of a hand-operated press that turns plastic trash into building blocks. That was the day Harvey made his first plastic block. His website at RecycledPlasticBlockHouses.com chronicles his efforts to make a block press and plastic building blocks.
Harvey says, “I see a solution to two problems facing us today. Plastic pollution is a worldwide issue. Another worldwide issue is affordable shelter. This block addresses both of those issues. It takes trash plastic and makes it into an affordable alternative building material.”
Harvey goes on to explain, “One of the things I’m trying to do with the block press is make it like someone would under more difficult circumstances. So I’m using common tools, no fancy machine shop lathes, sheet metal shop presses, etc. I’m also trying to use scrap stuff found around the shop. So far the only thing I’ve purchased for the block press is the three foot by one inch ACME thread rod and nut, $69.00 with shipping.”
Basic facts: The inside width of the press is eight inches, which is also the standard width for a building block made of concrete. Final block size is 8″x8″x16″. Four 12 gauge galvanized wires hold the plastic block together. A simple tool is used to cinch and twist the wire tight while still in the press. Each block weighs six to ten pounds depending on how much plastic and pressure is added. They are difficult to compress or distort. Horizontal wire around each block facilitates attaching plaster mesh. Tied together with wire, and braced with masonry reinforcement and rebar the plastic blocks create a very strong wall ready for plaster inside and out.
Half blocks are used at corners and at window and door openings. Cutting full blocks without losing the integrity of the block is not possible, so half blocks are a necessity. These are made by inserting a half block plug in front of the ram and then applying the same method and pressure as full blocks.
Harvey believes this block can be produced in developing regions under the worst circumstances. In other words, it can work anywhere there’s sufficient plastic waste.
Although most any type of plastic could be used, more valuable grades of plastic (especially #1 and #2) are best recycled so the material can be used again. Number 5, 6 and 7 grade plastic is plentiful, has low value, and seems most appropriate for making plastic blocks. For comparison, today’s spot price is $420.00 a ton for number one and two plastics, $150.00 a ton for three through seven. However, most facilities can’t or won’t process Styrofoams and film plastics like shopping bags. Those are shipped to the landfill. But they work great in Harvey’s plastic blocks.
The recycled plastic building block is just one factor in what should be a holistic approach to not only recycling but sustainable building as an industry. Plastics that have value as recyclables should be recycled when economically possible. Recycled plastic building blocks aren’t just an answer to housing for the third world. They’re an opportunity for changing the lives of those that build the shelters along with those that live in them. It would be best if it is presented as a new industry providing jobs and opportunities for entrepreneurships.
Recycled plastic blocks are perfect for places such as Haiti, where manufactured building materials are extremely expensive (far higher than the U.S.) and must be imported. Plastic blocks are strong, waterproof, rot proof and insect resistant, all very important qualities in tropical climates. There’s an abundance of plastic trash available in Haiti, free for the taking. Gathering the plastic would help clean up the country and provide jobs. Plastic blocks could be used to create permanent housing that’s designed to fit the local culture and their immediate needs. And with adequate tensile reinforcement, concrete foundation and bond beams, plaster mesh and plaster the structures could be designed to withstand earthquakes and hurricanes.
Harvey’s not the first person to see the enormous potential of turning trash to cash. Peter Lewis, the original inventor of recycled plastic blocks, is an architect and aerospace engineer in Dunedin, New Zealand. His company, Byfusion Technology, www.byfusion.net sells industrial machines that clean, chop and press recycled plastic into numerous products, including building blocks.
Peter Lewis has been helpful in sharing his ideas to speed along Harvey’s project. I’ve never met Peter, but I was very glad to see his willingness to help this cause. Peter spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to patent plastic blocks in August 2002, and millions since then to develop industrial scale equipment. The Byfusion machine is manufactured in New Zealand and can be exported in shipping containers. Their mass production techniques are appropriate for many areas of the world, including turning the massive plastic garbage patches in the oceans into useful products. See Great Pacific Garbage Patch for details on the extent of the problem.
While Byfusion Technology is perfectly suited for certain situations, Harvey’s block making process is taking a decidedly different approach, one best suited for less developed countries where modern materials are not affordable. Harvey’s focus is on simple, low-tech solutions. Virtually anyone with access to plastic trash, no matter how poor, can start generating an income and making blocks for their home with his machine. And even though his plastic blocks aren’t as uniform as Byfusions’, they are certainly adequate for building simple houses.
To work in impoverished areas, the machine has to be low cost, simple to use, easy to make, durable and create a product that can be used by low skilled laborers with a consistent degree of success.
Another interesting aspect Harvey is using is an open source process to help spread his ideas as quickly as possible. Anyone can freely copy and use his press design. Free drawings are now available on his website. All Harvey asks is that if anyone does develop an improved version to please let him know about it so the improvements can be shared with others.
Another goal is to create a cottage industry process that’s similar to the one used to produce compressed earth blocks (CEBs) in many countries. Each village or town could be making plastic blocks where it is not cost effective or practical to send low value plastic trash to big cities for processing.
Harvey‘s goal is to see his machine manufactured and distributed everywhere alternative housing is needed. He also wants to see another model of this machine that is automated for use in the industrialized world. For those who can afford the extra cost, it would not be difficult to modify a log splitting machine to greatly increase output.
At last, there’s a method for 100 percent recycling of plastics. The valuable plastics need to be separated and recycled. The rest of it needs to go into useful products such as building blocks — 100 percent recycling at its best.
Harvey Lacey Wants to Rebuild the (Third) World One Bale of Recycled Plastic at a Time, by Robert Wilonsky, The Dallas Observer Blog
Photos courtesy Harvey Lacey
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