Antikythera Mechanism: The Mechanism

"What is it? It was found at the bottom of the sea aboard an ancient Greek ship. Its seeming complexity has prompted decades of study, although some of its functions remained unknown. X-ray images of the device have confirmed the nature of the Antikythera mechanism, and discovered several surprising functions. The Antikythera mechanism has been discovered to be a mechanical computer of an accuracy thought impossible in 80 BC, when the ship that carried it sank. Such sophisticated technology was not thought to be developed by humanity for another 1,000 years."
(NASA: Astronomy Picture of the Day, 2013 January 20)

This machine has the oldest known complex gear mechanism and is sometimes called the first known analog computer. (Photo: Wikipedia, Antikythera mechanism)

Antikythera Mechanism Part 1 (6:58) & Part 2 (8:20) - by Nature Video

New interpretations of the Antikythera Mechanism reveal that it could be used to predict eclipses, and that it had a dial recording the dates of the ancient Olympiads. The 2,000-year-old box of intricate gearwork provides a glimpse of the engineering prowess of the Hellenic world. The team discuss their results here.