Divers studying the shipwreck which yielded the mysterious Antikythera mechanism have discovered an astounding 2,000-year-old skeleton aboard the vessel.
The remains, found under a foot of sand and debris, were unearthed during an expedition at the site in late August.
Experts are marveling at the find, since the discovery of skeletons at ancient shipwrecks are incredibly rare due to the flow of water, scavenger animals, and the passage of time.
They are hopeful that the skeleton is an indication that there is more to be found at the site where the famed Antikythera mechanism was discovered in 1901.
Dubbed the 'world's oldest computer,' the device has fascinated historians for decades and spawned numerous theories as well as research projects aimed at understanding its purpose.
With regards to the recovered skeleton, researchers hope to achieve the incredible feat of extracting DNA from the ancient bones in an attempt to learn more about the doomed sailor.
Based on what we know so far, we're guessing that the divers just may have discovered the world's first IT guy.
Coast Insiders looking to learn more about the Antikythera Mechanism can check out Ian Punnett's conversation with science journalist Jo Marchant on the 9/26/2009 edition of C2C.
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Source: Nature