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Episode 19: The 2,000-Year-Old Machine That Shouldn't Exist

// DATE: December 25, 2025SEASON: 2EPISODE: 11

Episode 19: The 2,000-Year-Old Machine That Shouldn't Exist

It is an object that defies history. A computer built before the birth of Christ.In 1901, sponge divers off the coast of Antikythera discovered a shipwreck filled with marble statues and luxury goods. But amidst the treasure, they found a corroded lump of bronze that would change our understanding of the ancient world forever.In this episode of Unexplained History, we decode the secrets of the Antikythera Mechanism. Dating back to 100 BCE, this intricate system of gears could predict eclipses, track planetary movements, and time the Ancient Olympic Games with a precision that wouldn't be seen again for 1,500 years.Join us as we investigate:
  • The Discovery: The dangerous 1901 dive and the initial confusion over the "useless" rock.
  • The Technology: How modern X-ray imaging revealed a complex clockwork universe hidden inside.
  • The Creators: Was this the work of Archimedes, Hipparchus, or a lost school of genius engineers?
  • The "Missing Link": Why did this technology disappear, and what other advanced machines lie forgotten at the bottom of the ocean?
From the depths of the Mediterranean to the cutting edge of modern science, we explore how this "Time Lord" device challenges everything we thought we knew about human progress.Press play to unlock the secrets of the ancient world’s greatest enigma.

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🎧 Unexplained History explores the myths, mysteries, and misunderstood moments that shaped our world. Hosted by Tom Mackenzie and Don Masterson. New episodes every week.
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This episode includes AI-generated content.
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About Unexplained History

Unexplained History takes you on a journey through the shadows of the past, uncovering the secrets behind history’s strangest events.From baffling disappearances to mysterious artifacts, each episode peels back the layers of time to explore the moments that still defy explanation.Written and directed by Rob Davenport, with meticulous research by Mike Sherwin and an evocative score by Smoking Man Studios, Unexplained History offers a gripping narrative experience that will leave you questioning what you thought you knew. Join us every Tuesday for a new episode published by The Unexplained Company.Discover the truth behind the mystery at https://www.unexplained.co.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/unexplained-history--6429156/support.
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