Publications
Friends of Iziko South African Museum will host a public lecture by David Wolfe, titled “The 2000-year-old computer”.
In 1900, a group of Greek sponge divers found the first archaeological wreck to be discovered in the sea, dated to about 70BC. Expeditions brought up a few pieces of encrusted bronze, some of which had gear teeth.
Counting the gear teeth showed that they were capable of tracking the motion of the sun and the moon. It was, in reality, an analogue computer, thousands of years before they were invented again. David Wolfe will discuss the details of the discovery and the research into this device.
The talk will take place on Wednesday 28 February at 18:00 at the Iziko South African Museum, 25 Queen Victoria Street. Entry is free to members or R30 for non-members.
