time capsule

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.

time capsule

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of time capsule¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

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.

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

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

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Schwartz has composed an American time capsule of Broadway pop, with as much variety as “Wicked” though with less bombast and no real standout blockbuster numbers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Yet the printed documents still have value; they are pieces of history, time capsules worthy of rescue and celebration.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal