Hands-on ancient technology at Waikato Museum

The revolutionary discoveries of one of the world’s greatest science and mathematical minds are being unveiled at Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato.

Eureka: The Inventions of Archimedes, an exhibition showcasing the creations of the world’s first empirical scientist, opened at Waikato Museum Saturday, 3 March and runs through to 24 June.

Developed over six years by Artisans of Florence, the international tour operators for the Museum of Leonardo da Vinci in Italy, Eureka features reproductions of the engineering feats of the great Greek scholar Archimedes of Syracuse.

Archimedes was a ground-breaking thinker and inventor during a period of substantial scientific advancement in the third century.

Under his leadership, Greek mathematicians and engineers designed pioneering machines, which still exist in modern technology.

Following its 2016 world premiere at the US Space and Rocket Centre (NASA) in Alabama, USA, Eureka has travelled to Guangdong Science Center in Guangzhou, and other venues in China.

Waikato Museum is the exclusive New Zealand venue on the exhibition’s current itinerary.

“We... have a number of exciting events planned during the exhibition season,” says Waikato Museum Director Cherie Meecham.

“There will be more late-night sessions, storyteller and entertainer Ken Benn will evoke the persona of Archimedes on 21-22 April and an autism-friendly evening will take place on 2 June.”

Tom Rizzo, Director of Travelling Exhibitions for Artisans of Florence, says this may be Kiwis’ only chance to see this one-of-a-kind exhibition.

“We hope to bring Eureka back to New Zealand one day, but for now this is the one definite opportunity to experience this interactive extravaganza.”

Admission fee applies. Waikato Museum is open daily 10am – 5pm.