Antikythera Mechanism Sculpture Ancient Greek 1st Computer in History Replica Cast Alabaster The Antikythera mechanism is an ancient Greek hand-powered orrery, described as the oldest example of an analogue computer used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses decades in advance. It could also be used to track the four-year cycle of athletic games which was similar to an Olympiad, the cycle of the ancient Olympic Games. This artefact was among wreckage retrieved from a shipwreck off the coast of the Greek island Antikythera in 1901. On 17 May 1902 it was identified as containing a gear by archaeologist Valerios Stais. The device, housed in the remains of a 34 cm 18 cm 9 cm (13.4 in 7.1 in 3.5 in) wooden box, was found as one lump, later separated into three main fragments which are now divided into 82 separate fragments after conservation efforts. Four of these fragments contain gears, while inscriptions are found on many others. The largest gear is approximately 13 centimeters (5.1 in) in diameter and originally had 223 teeth. In 2008, a team led by Mike Edmunds and Tony Freeth at Cardiff University used modern computer x-ray tomography and high-resolution surface scanning to image inside fragments of the crust-encased mechanism and read the faintest inscriptions that once covered the outer casing of the machine. This suggests it had 37 meshing bronze gears enabling it to follow the movements of the Moon and the Sun through the zodiac, to predict eclipses and to model the irregular orbit of the Moon, where the Moon's velocity is higher in its perigee than in its apogee. This motion was studied in the 2nd century BC by astronomer Hipparchus of Rhodes, and it is speculated that he may have been consulted in the machine's construction. There is speculation that a portion of the mechanism is missing and it also calculated the positions of the five classical planets. The instrument is believed to have been designed and constructed by Greek scientists and has been variously dated to about 87 BC, or between 150 and 100 BC, or to 205 BC, or to within a generation before the shipwreck, which has been dated to approximately 70?60 BC. The knowledge of this technology was lost at some point in antiquity. Clockwork later appeared in the medieval Byzantine and Islamic worlds, but works with similar complexity did not appear again until the development of mechanical astronomical clocks in Europe in the fourteenth century. All known fragments of the Antikythera mechanism are now kept at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, along with a number of artistic reconstructions and replicas to demonstrate how it may have looked and worked. HANDMADE HAND PAINTED IN GREECE Dimensions (approx.): Height: 21 cm (8.27 inches) Width: 15 cm (5.90 inches) Depth: 4,2 cm (1.65 inches) Weight: 440 gr (0.97 lbs) Material Manufacture process: Cast Alabaster Cast Alabaster statues are made from a composite material in which natural crushed Greek Alabaster stone is mixed with a small quantity of resin that works as a glue. Alabaster was very widely used for small sculpture for indoor use in the ancient world, especially in Ancient Greece, Egypt and Mesopotamia. The mixture is then poured into a mold of the statue design. Because the powder is so fine the smallest details can be reproduced using this method. Over 90% of the finished sculpture is natural crushed Greek Alabaster stone, which gives it a look and feel of solid natural marble. All sculptures are finished by hand to ensure the finest quality. This strong material is water and weather resistant, doesn't have bubbles, will not crack, and can be washed with most cleaning agents. Please note: Our statues are not carved. The alabaster we use is not the calcite alabaster variety which is also known as onyx-marble, Egyptian alabaster, or Oriental alabaster. Natural marble statues are hand carved and command a very hefty price. Our product offerings are intended to be affordable to the majority public. Professional packing - We take extra care in safely packing our fragile items to ensure safe delivery. HANDLING TIME We ship our orders within 1-2 business days after receiving your verified payment (Excluding Weekends and Public Holidays). ESTIMATED DELIVERY TIME In-stock items - We ship the product directly from our warehouse. The estimated delivery time given by the carrier is within 3 to 8 business days after the postal date. Express Delivery (1-3 business days) - For an additional charge available only for EUROPE buyers. RETURN POLICIES Our return policy is 14 days return or exchange. 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Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price. These charges are the buyer?s responsibility. b. Please check with your country?s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to buying. c. There are not import taxes for transactions between E.U. countries. PROFESSIONAL PACKING We take extra care in safely packing our fragile items to ensure safe delivery. We ship decades of packages daily. We can ensure you that you will receive your order intact as so many other buyers of ours internationally. If nevertheless the item will be damaged in transit a replacement will be provided. RETURN SHIPPING You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs when returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. Items sent as "Free Shipping" will also require you to pay for return shipping. If you receive a refund and the return was paid by us, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund. 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