The Antikythera Mechanism and Shipping Wine Direct
OK, I admit this may be a bit of a stretch, but since this blog is about technology and wine, here goes.
News was released today that scientists have discovered more about the origins and functions of the Antikythera Mechanism, an ancient mechanical "computer" that dates to the 1st century B.C. Since its discovery by divers around 1900, much has been speculated about this advanced technology. Now, in addition to tracking astronomical events in the solar system, the researchers found that one of the dials was dedicated to tracking the 4 year cycle of the ancient Olympiad games. The month names on the 19 year calendar have now been determined to be Corinithian, which provides evidence as to its origin. Interesting stuff -- more details at the research project website.
Since wine has been a part of Greek culture for over 4,000 years, the chances are good that the ship carrying the Antikythera Mechanism was also carrying wine. While the sailors may have relied on the Mechanism for navigation, they very likely didn't require a "computer" to sell their wine in other locations. My how times have changed. Now, in our "advanced technology culture" we don't require a computer to travel from one state to another, but we need one to figure out how and where we can get wine from a winery to a person in another state, given the ever-changing laws restricting the free trade of wine.
So the question of the day: Has civilization progressed in this area in the past 2,000 years?
