NEW research into a mysterious 2,000-year-old relic may have finally revealed its true purpose – and it's very different to how it's portrayed in Indiana Jones.
Dubbed the “world’s first computer”, the Antikythera Mechanism has baffled boffins for years – even inspired the latest Harrison Ford hit “The Dial of Destiny”.
For over a century, the mysterious Antikythera Mechanism has left scientists scratching their heads.
Believed by some to be an ancient Greek “computer”, it was thought to track the cycles of the Moon, Sun and planets – and even predict eclipses.
But now, new research has brought the enigma back into the spotlight.
Argentinian scientists have used computer simulations to re-create the device’s inner workings.
A CT scan revealed triangle-shaped gear teeth and surprisingly sloppy spacing between the gear and teeth.
Based on its current measurements, the device can only be cranked to about four months into the future before it jams or its gears simply disengage.
This is odd as it has indicators marking the date over an entire year.
This has led researchers to question whether the device was really the ancient genius system it's long been hailed as – or, disappointingly, just a clunky, janky toy.
If it is a toy, this raises questions about who may have used it – whether it was made for a wealthy patron as a one-off or it was a mass-produced toy.
But what researchers think is more likely is that the components and their spacing have been distorted due to the fact the object's gears are corroded and parts are missing after it lay buried in the sea.
Argentinian scientists say the gadget may have once run smoothly – accurate enough to avoid jamming and predict years on end.
It comes as – a World Wonder and Indiana Jones film setting.
Twelve bodies have been found in the tomb, with one of them holding a chalice that resembles the .
Diggers excavated the 2,000-year-old grave after finding it through a sonic underground search.
Inthey also found bits of bronze, iron, and other bits of ceramic items.
Hundreds more items are expected to be recovered as excavation continues, according to lead archaeologist Dr. Pearce Paul Creasman.
Creasman said his team dated the grave to the first century BC using luminescence dating, which tracks the last exposure of minerals to sunlight.
Meanwhile, archaeological boffins have .
The team at Noah's Ark Scans are determined to solve one of‘s greatest mysteries by uncoveringtoday.
Researchers believe the great ark is located in– just 30 kilometres south of the summit of Mount Ararat.
Experts are yet to officially confirm the ark's existence but many have speculated around the spot due to the .
