The Antikythera Mechanism is an ancient mechanical device designed to perform various astronomical calculations and is often called the first analog computer. Originating in the second half of the 2nd century BC, a mechanical device of its complexity was not seen again for over 1000 years, until the 14th century clock. The mechanism was discovered when it was recovered from the Antikythera shipwreck between Crete and mainland Greece. The device was housed in a wooden box with bronze front and back covers, and is composed of at least 30 cogwheels, dials, scales, axles, hands, and Greek astronomical inscriptions. There were three main output dials, one on the front and two on the rear. The main front dial was marked with divisions describing the Egyptian calendar (365 days). Inside the Egyptian dial there is a scale with the signs of the zodiac, which could be moved to compensate for leap years. The main dial also consisted of three hands, one for the date and one for the position of the sun and moon. There was also a second mechanism that showed the different phases of the moon. In addition to all these scales and pointers, the front dial also marked the rising and setting of specific stars and is thought to have charted the five known Greek planets. The upper back quadrant was a calendar quadrant that contained a Metonic cycle, an Olympian cycle, and a Kalliptic cycle. The Metonic cycle consists of 235 parts, corresponding to the Metonic cycle of 235 lunar months. The Olympic cycle featured the dates of the ancient Olympic games and the Kalliptic cycle, which was a quadruple Metonic cycle, helping to provide greater calendar accuracy. The lower back dial was the eclipse prediction dial which contains a Saros cycle and an Exeligmos cycle. ....middle of paper.......rounding. Unfortunately, some of the knowledge acquired by the Greeks has been lost over time. However, the Greek knowledge that survived seeded the ideas of the ancient Arabs and consequently the European Renaissance and modern engineering. One wonders if there had been a direct transfer of knowledge between cultures, where we would be today. It can be argued that we may be living in a very different world than the one we know today. Works Cited1] "Frequently Asked Questions - General Questions | The Antikythera Mechanism Research Project". The research project on the Antikythera mechanism. Network. 19 October 2013.[2] Freeth, Tony and Alexander Jones. "The cosmos in the Antikythera mechanism". ISAW Documents 4 (2012). Network. Retrieved October 16, 2013.