Case 11 · Founder Lifetime · Inventions
The Antikythera mechanism: What was the Antikythera mechanism for?
In the app: “The Machine from the Sea”
Antikythera, Greece · c. 2nd–1st century BC
Why this question matters
Sponge divers found an ancient shipwreck off the Greek island of Antikythera in 1900, and corroded bronze lumps came up with its cargo. X-ray scans published in 2006 revealed gears and inscriptions no one could see before. The case is about telling apart what was found from what has been reconstructed.
The case briefing
Sponge divers pulled corroded bronze lumps from a shipwreck. A century later, scans revealed gears. Separate what was found from what has been rebuilt.
The evidence
The exhibits in this case. Their full details open in the app.
- Made at the timeFound 1900–1901
The shipwreck
- Scientific findingPublished 2006
X-ray CT scans
- Modern reconstructionPublished 2021
The 2021 reconstruction
How the investigation works
After the briefing and exhibits, you complete three steps. Every answer is explained, and the verdict lists the sources.
- 1
Chronology
Put the events back in order, oldest first. BC and AD are handled correctly, and there is no year zero.
- 2
Source comparison
Two sources, several statements. Decide which source supports each one, or whether neither does.
- 3
Supported conclusions
Sort claims into supported, going beyond the evidence, or contradicted. Every answer explains why.
What is still unknown
Its maker, its exact date and the full planet display remain open questions.
Sources
Case content last checked 2026-10-13. Not reviewed by an independent historian. Found an error? Tell us.
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