On August 8, 2025, in Ancient Olympia, at the Archimedes Museum, I had the pleasure and honor of unveiling the giant, bronze replica of the Antikythera Mechanism, which operates in real-time and was crafted by the great creator Kostas Kotsanas.
My acquaintance with Kostas Kotsanas spans nearly 20 years, and I am always deeply moved by the passionate way he highlights the brilliance of antiquity.
Below is my message to the audience who attended the event, followed by relevant photographic material:
Dear friends,
It is a distinct honor and pleasure for me to be here today at the Archimedes Museum—a unique thematic museum of science and technology in Greece dedicated to the greatest mathematician, physicist, engineer, astronomer, and inventor of antiquity, as well as to the broader ancient Greek technology of his era. We gather for the presentation of a replica of the Antikythera Mechanism, which operates in real-time and was crafted by our dear Kostas Kotsanas.
My acquaintance with Kostas Kotsanas, founder of the namesake Museum, goes back nearly twenty years, to the time when the Ephorate of Antiquities hosted (in the year 2007) one of his first exhibitions of ancient technology at the SPAP building.
Since then, I have been watching with admiration and deep respect the tireless journey of this restless man, who, with dedication and passion, brings to light the creative intelligence of antiquity.
Today, having reached this point—yet another pinnacle in his journey, during this three-day event of experiential activities at the Archimedes Museum which begins today and concludes on Sunday—we cannot help but express our gratitude. As residents of Olympia, parents, professionals, and members of the archaeological community, we are truly grateful for the immense added value he offers to our region, its economy, education, culture, and science.
From my perspective, as an archaeologist at the Ephorate of Antiquities of Elis, my daily routine often revolves around thankless bureaucracy and the technocratic application of laws, rather than the study, decoding, and interpretation of ancient monuments. That is why I feel genuine joy when I am around people who highlight the very essence of archaeology and contribute to the revival of antiquity in a way that is comprehensible, creative, and meaningful for modern society.
The Antikythera Mechanism is a stunning testament to ancient Greek science: a landmark artifact that not only reveals the ancients’ knowledge of astronomy and timekeeping but also allows us to accurately calculate the dates of the Olympic Games—linking technology, culture, and the Olympic spirit in a truly unique way.
Finally, it is worth remembering that for eleven years now, through its exhibits and initiatives, Kostas Kotsanas’ Archimedes Museum has established itself as another major destination for visitors to Olympia. It operates both independently and complementarily to the Archaeological Site, the Museums, the International Olympic Academy, and, we hope soon, the Museum of the Modern Olympic Games.
Together, all of these significantly enhance the international prestige of Olympia, showcasing its global significance.
Thank you very much!
