A special exhibition about the oldest scientific instrument in the world was brought to Loreto College in a special event to highlight the learning of the Ancient Greeks.

The Antikythera Mechanism was made around 150 to 100 BC and is the oldest analogue computer and the first known Mechanical model of the Universe.

In a talk led by Professor  Xenophon Moussas, from the University of Athens, students learnt that the instrument was discovered around 1901 by sponge divers working in the Ionian Sea.

They heard how using complex astronomy and mathematics the mechanism utilizes bronze gears to perform mathematical operations which give the position the Sun and Moon. It’s believed that the device was used to predict eclipses and to determine the dates of the Olympic Games and other important events.

“I never realised just how advanced ancient civilisations were,” said Mr Martin, who is Head of Physics at Loreto.

“To build a mechanism that precise and that complex without today’s state-of-the- art tools shows incredible intelligence. It makes you wonder what man has been doing for the last 2025 years!”

There are still great debates as to which civilisation produced the Antikythera Mechanism. The degree of mechanical sophistication has been compared to a Swiss Clock.