You are correct that scientists have not discovered computers in ancient history in the modern sense of the word. The complex, electronic, and programmable devices we use today are a product of 20th-century technology.

However, ancient civilizations did create mechanical marvels that, by some definitions, could be considered early “computers” due to their ability to perform complex calculations and track celestial movements. The most famous example of this is the Antikythera Mechanism.

Discovered in a shipwreck off the coast of Greece, this ancient Greek device dates back to the 2nd century BCE. The Antikythera Mechanism is an intricate analog computer with a complex system of interlocking bronze gears. It was used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses with remarkable accuracy, as well as to track the four-year cycle of athletic games, including the Olympics. The level of engineering and astronomical knowledge required to build this device was so advanced that it wasn’t seen again for over a thousand years. This discovery proves that while the ancients didn’t have laptops or smartphones, their intellect and craftsmanship allowed them to create sophisticated tools that were, for all intents and purposes, computers for their time.