After a careful examination of the Antikythera Mechanism computed tomography scans from the Antikythera Mechanism Research Project, we designed and constructed the mechanical parts that are visible on the computed tomography scans. We then reconstructed two functional models of the Antikythera Mechanism, and in this paper, we present the observations and the conclusions drawn from their use. The use of these models helped us to understand how the Mechanism worked and provided answers to questions regarding the presence and the use of some parts.
After studying the design geometry of the Antikythera Mechanism Saros spiral, new critical geometrical/mechanical characteristics of the Back plate design were detected. The geometrical characteristics related to the symmetry of the Antikythera Mechanism design, are independent to the present irregular deformation of the Mechanism parts and were used as calibration points for the Saros spiral cells positional measurements. The Saros cells numbering was recalculated using the calibration points position. A correction of minus one to the currently accepted numbering of the Saros cells was applied. Following the new numbering, a new proper position for the (displaced) Saros pointer axis-g, in graphic design environment was calculated. The measurements were tested on a bronze reconstruction of the Back plate, by the authors. This research leads to a new important result that the Saros does not start in a random or arbitrary date but only when a solar eclipse occurs within a month. Additional results were also calculated regarding the symmetry of the eclipse events/sequence. The new Saros cell numbering strongly affects the calculations for the initial starting date of the Saros spiral and the eclipse events scheme of the Antikythera Mechanism.
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