THE ANTIKYTHERA MECHANISM
The most accurate and functional replicas ever made!
What was the Antikythera Mechanism?
Celestial objects' observer
The Antikythera Mechanism could calculate the position of the Sun and the Moon on the sky as well as the phase of the Moon, with extraordinary precision. It simulated the elliptical movement of the Moon around the Earth with an amazing mechanical gadget, permuting Kepler's 1st and 2nd law 1700 years ago!
Olympic games predictor
One of the pointers could predict the most important panhellenic games, e.g. Olympic games. These games took place every 2 or 4 years but not at the same date every year. The exact date was determined by the phase of the Moon, so it was very important to know Moon's movement in order to predict the starting date of the games. Of course, for the Antikythera Mechanism, that was just another output!
Eclipses predictor
One of the most outstanding features of the Mechanism was the ability to predict Sun's and Moon's eclipses with accuracy of one hour! The lower back dial, Saros dial, could predict any eclipse that would take place in the future or has already taken place. The astonishing accuracy of one hour, implies the profound astronomical knowlege that Greeks had.
A complex device with "user's manual"
Nowadays, it is almost unthinkable to buy a machine without a "user's manual". The same stands for the Antikythera Mechanism, which has an extensive "manual" about the way someone will operate it. This "manual" was on the doors and on the dials' plate of the Mechanism and explained the indications of the pointers and many other astronomical related issues!
About us
Who we are
Redlane traces its origins back to 2013, when 3D Solidforms was founded with a focus on the design and construction of objects using modern technologies such as 3D printing and 3D scanning. In 2021, 3D Solidforms evolved into Redlane, continuing and expanding its work in the fields of engineering, digital fabrication, research, and the reconstruction of the Antikythera Mechanism. Its founders, Marianna Efstathiou and Alexandros Basiakoulis, are graduates of the School of Mechanical Engineering at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with academic specialization in the Antikythera Mechanism, modern investigation techniques, and the construction of accurate functional replicas. Both have been members of the Antikythera Mechanism Research Team of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki since 2009. Their research on the Mechanism has been presented in scientific publications and at international conferences. Over the years, through 3D Solidforms and subsequently Redlane, they have designed and constructed a number of accurate and functional replicas of the Antikythera Mechanism, including several 1:1 scale versions reflecting different stages of scientific research, as well as enlarged models for research, educational, and demonstration purposes.
Supported by the Antikythera Mechanism Research Team of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and University of Macedonia of Thesaloniki
Redlane, in cooperation with the Antikythera Mechanism Research Team of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and University of Macedonia of Thessaloniki , has constructed accurate and functional copies of the Mechanism, which are 100% based on the research team’s findings and only to those which have been accepted by the international scientific community through publications in reliable scientific journals. These copies include all the latest revelations, while simultaneously do not include anything that has not been scientifically proven. For that reason, the international scientific community recognizes these models as the most accurate and reliable that have been constructed up until now.The research team of Thessaloniki
The basic research team of the Antikythera Mechanism of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the University of Macedonia is composed by the following researchers : - † John Hugh Seiradakis : Professor in the Department of Physics, Aristotle University - Efstathiou Kyriakos : Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department, Headmaster of the Laboratory for Machine Tools and Manufacturing Engineering EEDM, Aristotle University - Roumeliotis Manos : Professor in the Department of Applied Informatics, University of Macedonia - Anastasiou Magdalini : Doctor in the Department of Physics, Aristotle University - Tourtas Alexandros : Archaeologist, PhD Archaeologist, Aristotle University, Scientific Diver - Anastasovitis Leyteris : PhD candidate in the Department of Applied Informatics, University of Macedonia - Efstathiou Marianna : PhD candidate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aristotle University - Basiakoulis Alexandros : PhD candidate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aristotle UniversityList of Museums and organizations with our replicas
- National archaelogical museum of Athens
- National observatory of Athens
- Science Center and Technology Museum “NOESIS”
- Aristotles University, Thessaloniki
- Municipality of Kythera island
- Musée des arts et métiers, Paris
- Herakleidon Museum
