A 13-Year-Old Just Recreated Archimedes' Legendary Death Ray — and Proved It Worked

For over two millennia, one of history’s most fascinating legends has puzzled scientists and historians alike: did the ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes really build a “death ray” to set enemy ships on fire using only sunlight and mirrors? Skeptics have long dismissed the story as nothing more than a myth. But now, a 13-year-old student has reignited the debate — quite literally — by recreating the ancient weapon and proving that it can, in fact, work.

A Timeless Mystery

The story goes back to around 212 BCE during the Roman siege of Syracuse. Archimedes, the brilliant mathematician and inventor, was said to have used mirrors to reflect and concentrate the sun’s rays onto the wooden ships of the Roman navy. According to ancient accounts, the intense heat from the focused sunlight set the enemy ships ablaze, defending the city from attack. Over time, the story has been repeated in books, documentaries, and even television shows like MythBusters, which famously failed to replicate the effect under controlled conditions.

Because of the difficulty in recreating the death ray and the lack of solid archaeological evidence, many modern experts dismissed the tale as a legend. That is, until a young mind approached it with curiosity, creativity, and a bit of sunlight.

The Young Genius Behind the Ray

Enter Max Hammond, a 13-year-old student from Portland, Oregon, with a passion for science, history, and hands-on experiments. Max had always been fascinated by ancient inventions, and the Archimedes death ray topped his list. After reading about past failed attempts by adults, Max wondered: what if the previous experiments didn’t quite get it right?

Over several months, Max researched optics, mirror angles, and solar intensity. He read ancient texts, watched documentaries, and scoured the internet for any mention of Archimedes’ invention. Then, he set out to build his own version of the legendary device — using modern household materials like small square mirrors, a wooden frame, and some basic tools.

Building the Death Ray

Max’s setup was surprisingly simple, yet ingenious. He arranged 50 small mirrors in a curved pattern, all pointed at a single spot about 15 feet away. The target? A model wooden ship he had built himself, about three feet long and covered in pine tar — a flammable substance that would have been common on ships in ancient times.

On a sunny afternoon, Max aligned his mirrors and aimed them at the model ship. As the mirrors reflected the sunlight to a single point on the hull, the temperature at that spot began to rise. Within minutes, smoke began to curl from the wood, and shortly after, a small flame appeared. The experiment was a success — Max had managed to recreate the legendary death ray using nothing more than mirrors and the power of the sun.

Why It Worked This Time

So why did Max succeed where others had failed? According to Max, the key was patience, precision, and scale. Many past experiments tried to use hundreds of mirrors or relied on large, flat reflectors that were hard to align. Max’s smaller mirror setup allowed for more accurate focus, and his handmade ship model, treated with flammable substances, closely mimicked ancient Roman ships.

“It’s all about focus,” Max explained in a local interview. “You don’t need hundreds of mirrors. You just need to make sure every one is aimed exactly at the same spot. It’s like using a magnifying glass to burn paper — if it’s out of focus, nothing happens. But when it’s right, it works.”

His experiment has caught the attention of teachers, engineers, and even a few science museums, some of whom have invited Max to present his findings.

Science Meets History

Max’s project doesn’t just shed light on a historical mystery — it also highlights the power of curiosity and the importance of hands-on learning. His recreation of Archimedes’ death ray offers compelling evidence that such a weapon, while perhaps exaggerated in its historical impact, could indeed have existed.

Historians are still cautious, noting that it would have been difficult to use such a device effectively in the chaos of a real naval battle. However, the experiment proves that under the right conditions, concentrated sunlight can ignite a wooden target — just as the ancient texts suggest.

Inspiring Future Scientists

Max’s success story has inspired other students around the country to take on historical science challenges. Some are now attempting to replicate other ancient technologies, from Roman aqueducts to Chinese fire arrows. Teachers say Max’s work is a perfect example of how young people can make meaningful contributions to science — even without advanced degrees or professional labs.

As for Max, he’s already planning his next experiment. “I want to try building a working model of a Greek ballista next,” he says with a grin. “Ancient inventors were amazing. I just want to understand how they did what they did.”

One thing’s for sure: Archimedes would have been proud.