The Herakleidon Museum presents the history of Greek seafaring in the Aegean and the Mediterranean, a history of maritime voyages, achievements in naval architecture, exchange of ideas and technological developments, through about 40 handmade wooden models of Greek ships (0,60 m. to 1,50 m) of excellent, detailed construction with authentic materials, based on naval architectural drawings, following traditional methods, which date from prehistoric times to the middle of the 20th century. The creator of these models is Dimitris Maras, M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and model shipbuilder, who has studied in depth the shipbuilding history of Greece, as well as the construction of ship models.
The exhibition also includes nautical instruments, as well as a life-size reproduction of the Antikythera Mechanism. During the interactive guided tours, visitors will be able to experiment with all the known, according to the most recent international research, functions of the mechanism, on a model created for this purpose. (Scientific consultant: Xenophon D. Mousas, Astronomer, Professor of Space Physics at the University of Athens, Manufacturer: Dionysis G. Kriaris, Mathematician, Manufacturer of models of ancient instruments).
Maps, video projections, explanatory drawings by the archaeologist Yiannis Nakas, and other material, such as a special edition catalogue in two languages (English/Greek), further complement the exhibition, aiming to help the visitors understand the subject and goal of the exhibition which is to present to them, in a coherent and comprehensible manner, the history of Greek seafaring and shipbuilding, giving them a chance to take a mental trip back in time to discover the close and timeless relationship of the Greek people with the sea.
A new unit, beginning on Friday, February 10, 2017, has enriched the exhibition, focusing on the century of research during which scientists have tried to understand the Antikythera Mechanism. Through rare exhibits that are being shown for the first time, early and contemporary models of the mechanism, explanatory texts, drawings and photographs, the Museum Herakleidon is presenting pivotal moments in the study of the most complicated mechanism of antiquity (2nd-1st cent. BC), aiming to showcase the advanced scientific knowledge of the ancient Greeks, their mathematical and technological achievements and, most importantly, their innovative spirit.
Creator of shipmodels:
Dimitris Maras, M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and Microshipbuilder
Curator:
Nikoleta Xydea, Archaeology-Museology MA
The exhibition was extended until August 27th 2017.
