Mystery Solved

The Antikythera Mechanism is a piece of ancient Greek technology recovered more than 100 years ago from a shipwreck off the coast of Crete. Ever since, it's been the source of much speculation over the function of its advanced-seeming bronze gears and mechanisms. Because they tend not to understand things and enjoy jumping to outrageous conclusions, several proponents of ancient astronaut theory have used the device as proof that extraterrestrial civilizations imparted untold knowledge onto ancient civilizations. Why advanced technology would utilize bronze gears is beyond me. But using modern x-ray techniques, some writing on the back of the device has been discovered to note astronomical movements and the months of the calendar. The ancient Greek millionaire playboy and nighttime vigilante Archimedes was known to have developed similar devices for measuring solar eclipses and the four-year cycles of the Olympiad. The Antikythera Mechanism seems to be the only known example of such a device. No word yet on how the device is also able to shoot laser beams and allow people to travel through time, but I'm sure science will eventually figure that out too. More details here.