Time Capsules if you must

There seems to be an irresistible urge to bury objects to commemorate moments in history, for the benefit of curious people in the future mists of time, rather like a dog burying a bone in the hope of a good meal later, generally benefits the worms.   Despite evidence of frequent failure, this ‘buried treasure syndrome’ overlooks the deteriorating effects of materials overall and the extremely adverse conditions in a time capsule in particular, however they continue to be a popular community project.     Alternatives to the traditional underground or entombed time capsule such as a bank box or sealed archival housing would increase the probability of materials surviving to the intended disclosure date.    Not wishing to be negative, the following points will assist you in making the right choices from the start.     There are three principal concerns to address: the physical quality of the materials you select for inclusion in the capsule, the structure of the capsule, and the documentation of its contents and location.

• Choose books or documents which, are printed or written on the highest quality paper possible. Newspapers and other poor quality paper items are highly acidic, due to their wood pulp content, quickly deteriorate and contribute to the deterioration of other items in the capsule. Make photocopies of these items on archival quality paper to ensure longevity.

• Photographic prints and negatives have a good chance of surviving and are a particularly popular choice. Black and white prints are the best choice as they are more stable than colour. Package in archive quality photo envelopes or interleave with ‘silversafe’ paper.

• Only include items that do not require any technology or equipment other than the eye or hand to use or interpret. Cine film with a digital soundtrack may survive to be used on simple machinery. Videotape is likely to deteriorate and there may not be the equipment to use the ‘ever changing’ I.T. produced discs or CD’s, however future technology may be able to interpret old formats.

• Avoid plastics and rubber items, the ageing characteristics are not good, this is especially so if a plastic object is the medium for information as with CD’s. Batteries, liquids of any sort or organic matter such as plant material are best represented by some other means e.g. photo.

• Package each item in an archival quality envelope, folder or box, or wrap in acid-free tissue. Labelling these in pencil or permanent/waterproof ink. If there are items which you would like to include, but which you are unsure of, seek the advice of a professional conservator.

• Choose a container that is rustproof, leak proof, and durable. There are several commercially produced capsules available, but burial vaults used for ashes have been used successfully. Do it yourself containers can be made of polypropylene, aluminium, or stainless steel with seals made with butyl or propylene gaskets.

• Label or engrave the outside of the capsule with permanent material. Make a list of contents and the purpose of the time capsule in duplicate. One copy for inclusion and the other to file above ground. It is probably wise to record the existence of the time capsule and its contents in serveral places.

Whatever topic you choose, be it the history of your area, a census, tree survey, maps or simply a random collection of novelties, bear these points in mind while trying to defeat time………………

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