The giant head of Hercules of Antikythera was found at the bottom of the Ionian Sea — what is this mysterious statue?
A fragment of a statue was discovered by archaeologists-divers near the wreck of an ancient merchant ship near the Greek island of Antikythera. It was on board the ship more than 120 years ago that the mechanism that some call the first analog computer was found.
The latest discovery was announced by the Greek Ministry of Culture. Authorities planned to uncover previously unexplored parts of the wreck, which is believed to have sunk around the 1st to 2nd centuries BC. A team of divers was removing larger rocks that were obstructing access to parts of the ship when they suddenly spotted a mysterious, bearded marble head.
The head probably belongs to the so-called Hercules of Andikitira
Scientists say the head belongs to a headless statue that was found at the site 122 years ago. The figure has been named Hercules of Andikitira. It is currently stored at the National Archaeological Museum in the Greek capital.
The Greek Ministry of Culture said in a statement that divers also found the base of the statue, which contained the detached lower limbs of Hercules. Archaeologists also discovered two human teeth that likely belonged to crew members of the ancient ship. Further research is expected to reveal how old the sailors were at the time of their deaths, their gender and their origins.
Could the metal objects found be fragments of the first computer?
Interestingly, scientists have also found unusual amorphous metal objects. Researchers wonder if they could be missing fragments of the Andikitira mechanism. This is an ancient instrument that was supposedly designed to calculate the position of celestial bodies. It was discovered aboard a shipwreck 120 years ago. Scientists say the machine, which consists of 37 gears made of bronze, was created around 205 BC. It was thought to be the first ever analog computer.
However, this was the period of the decline of the Hellenistic world and the beginning of the expansion of the Roman Empire into ancient Greece. Some theories suggest that the mechanism may be evidence of the Greeks’ extraordinary technological capabilities for the time. In 2016, scholars conducted a study that unequivocally concluded that the Pythagoreans were the authors of the device.
On board the ship were extremely valuable works of art
The wreck of a Greek merchant ship was discovered by diver Elias Stadiatos in 1900. It lay at a depth of 42 meters, near the island of Antikythera. On board were numerous works of art, statues and artifacts that today constitute the cultural heritage of Greece. These include the statue of Ephebe, Philetas of Kos, Apollo and Diomedes.
Two years later, scientists found a corroded lump of bronze that contained a pinwheel. This was the first fragment found of this extremely complex mechanism. Now the researchers hope that their latest discovery may shed new light on the fate of the mysterious wreck, but most importantly on who was the author of the first ever computer. The authors of the research wonder if the wreck hides even more secrets, perhaps other advanced devices for the old days. The research project will last until 2025.
Sources: Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports, Greek Reporter
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