time capsule

American  

noun

1. a receptacle containing documents or objects typical of the current period, placed in the earth or in a cornerstone for discovery in the future.

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time capsule British  

noun

1. a container holding articles, documents, etc, representative of the current age, buried in the earth or in the foundations of a new building for discovery in the future

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Etymology

Origin of time capsule

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

In part, it’s a time capsule, recording the rise in the popularity of soul food, especially in northern cities, that was coincident with the Second Great Migration happening during this period.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It’s a time capsule,” says their mom, Mel Morrow, 52, about their home.

From Los Angeles Times

Unlike land sites, where the invaluable evidence of past cultures and people are often covered over or mingled with the relics of succeeding eras, an ancient shipwreck is a pristine historic time capsule.

From Literature

"Chondrites are like time capsules from the dawn of the solar system," said Izidoro, assistant professor of Earth, environmental and planetary sciences at Rice.

From Science Daily

Along with the cornerstone, the workmen buried a time capsule in the steps of the foundation.

From Literature