Time capsulesact as a message from the past . At some point , someone thought various ethnic artifacts were worth uphold for future digging . And while the expectancy of opening one might not always be warrant — many are choke up with antiquated bauble — seeing what people call up would be representative of their era can be worth all the shoveling .
The latest example comes out of Richmond , Virginia , where a time condensation was latterly observe conform to the remotion of a statue depicting Confederate generalRobert E. Lee . allot toCNN , the metre - worn copper loge carry legion periodicals , including an 1865 issue ofHarper ’s Weekly ; a Bible ; a directory of Richmond ; a Confederate uniform button ; and an expand bullet know as a Minié ball that was used in muzzle - loading rifles .
Anticipation for the capsule had been high , as one 1887 newspaper clause detail its creation made mention of itcontainingan image ofAbraham Lincolnin his coffin . While technically unfeigned , the image was present as a woodcarving delineation from theHarper’sissue .

While the items were in nice condition , water had fall into place the box seat , as it often does . ( If preservation is the goal , entombment is a pitiable method for time capsule . ) conservator from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources will look to preserve what they can from the contents .
The time capsule was the 2nd to be retrieved from the internet site of the Lee statue , which was remove in September . The first , thought to be left by twist workers , was disclose inside the statue ’s pedestal and contained an 1875 farmer’s calendar as well as books and a coin .
[ h / tCNN ]