Mechanism

Large, invisible time capsules

Large, invisible time capsules can be designed to be robust, immobile and long-lasting. They are better

protected from environmental factors, such as erosion by wind and rain, and from human threats, such

as theft and vandalism, than those at the surface. Some time capsules have planned lifetimes of more

than 6000 years. They are thus fit for non-mediated transmission aimed at the long term.

Main

The time capsule concept is well developed and “ready-to-go”.

The opening of the (control) capsule at regular intervals provides the basis for a recurring ritual, as well

strengths/benefits

as the opportunity to apply the most recent preservation techniques for improving the longevity of its

content and potentially arresting or reversing degradation.

Overall, time capsules have to potential to be well-integrated to other mechanisms within a systemic

approach (see also below), but they can ultimately also preserve an RK&M function should other

mechanisms have failed.

Large, invisible time capsules may be expensive to develop and install, and may quite quickly be seen as

Specific

anachronistic. Quality control related to their content over time cannot be assured. The relevance and

interpretability of their content cannot be guaranteed over time, especially in the case of non-mediated

issues/challenges

transmission. The existence of invisible time capsules may be forgotten over time and they may be

missed by potential inadvertent intruders.

International

There is general interest in time capsules across the international community (and a number of informal

associations, such as the International Time Capsule Society). Large time capsule projects are discussed

dimension

and registered internationally.

Markers: Sub-surface markers; Monuments (time capsules can be seen as a particular type of sub-marker

themselves and they can also work together with other markers, e.g. when surface markers or monuments

point to them)

Memory Institutions: Archives (a maintained time capsule containing records can be seen as a sort of archive

Connection to other

or a complement to traditional archives)

approaches/

International Mechanisms (international time capsule societies and registers exist)

mechanisms

Dedicated Repository Records: SER; KIF (can be included in a time capsule)

Culture, Education and Art: Local history societies (can be involved with the content of time capsules);

Intangible cultural heritage (openings can be part of commemorations or rituals)

Oversight (maintained time capsules can form part of oversight activities and oversight information can be

included in their content)

Information resources

• Pescatore, C. and Van Luik, A. (2016), Millennial Time Capsules as a Promising Means for Preserving

issued by the RK&M

Records for Future Generations. Waste Management Conference, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. WM

initiative

Symposia, USA

Other information

• Jarvis, W. E. (2003). Time Capsules: a cultural history. McFarland & Co., Inc. Jefferson, North Carolina.

• The International Time Capsule Society (ITCS), see https://crypt.oglethorpe.edu/international-time-

resources

capsule-society.

The Westinghouse Time Capsules, created for the 1939 and 1964 World’s Fairs respectively. Both are

Examples

buried 50 feet below Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in New York. They are to be opened in the year

6939, five thousand years after the first capsule was sealed. See

https://archive.org/details/storyofwestingho00pendrich

Mechanism

Small time capsules

Approach

Time capsules

This mechanism refers to small, purpose-built, sealed enclosures containing a cache of information items

Definition/description

(which can include short documents as well as small objects). They would be buried between the ground

level and the disposal horizon and/or in the outer parts of the repository, or they can be integrated into

e.g. a monument or surface marker.

Small time capsules at the disposal site would aim to create awareness of the repository upon their

How does this

discovery and to transfer the information they preserve upon their opening. They would probably be

placed underground, in the disposal facility openings and access ways, at depths ranging from the

mechanism contribute

disposal horizon to the top of the defined “barrier strata” that make up the host geology. They would

to RK&M preservation/

work in a similar manner to small sub-surface and small deep geological markers, with the difference

How can it be

that their content would preserve more information than the inscriptions, design and distribution of

implemented?

sub-surface markers can preserve. They would notably be designed to be opened upon their discovery,

rather than to be opened at regular intervals as part of a commemoration or ritual.

Scope

Does the mechanism mainly preserve information, records, knowledge, memory, or awareness?

Information: X

Records: X

Knowledge:

Memory:

Awareness:

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Mechanism

Small time capsules

Small time capsules have the potential to preserve relatively short records (e.g. the KIF). Additionally,

when opened they may contribute to the regeneration of some knowledge (when e.g. short

interpretable RWM or radiation protection guidelines or perhaps a small measurement device with a

short manual are discovered upon their opening) and memory (by means of carrying contextual

information, a picture, a drawing, a newspaper article, small objects, etc). When placed below surface at

the disposal site, they may also serve in first instance as a small sub-surface marker to create awareness.

What is the level of detail addressed/provided by the mechanism?

Low level of detail:

High level of detail: X

Due to their size, the level of detail provided by small time capsules cannot be very detailed, but, due to

Scope

the fact that they contain a cache of information, still relatively detailed compared to e.g. sub-surface

markers.

What is the main geographical or administrative-political scope

(development/implementation/operation) of the mechanism? On which scale does the mechanism

notably enable RK&M preservation?

[Note also the field “International dimension” further below.]

Local: X

Regional:

National:

International:

Virtual:

Small time capsules function on a local scale (i.e. upon discovery). If their discovery and opening would

be appreciated as a noteworthy event, their RK&M preservation scope may broaden to the national level.

For the purpose of recognition, copies may also be distributed more widely, e.g. to schools, displayed in

visitor centres. They may also have the potential to be elaborated virtually.

Which timescale(s) is this mechanism mainly aimed at (target timescale)?

Long term: X

Medium term: X

Short term:

Very short term:

Time capsules are typically designed for a minimum of 100 years, and some have planned lifetimes of

more than 6 000 years. They can work as a mechanism for the long term, when oversight would have

been lost, and/or they can support oversight activities during the medium term.

When should this mechanism be implemented? This may or may not be equal to the target timescale.

Pre-operational:

Operational: X

Pre-closure: X

Post-closure: X

Timescales

Small time capsules can be designed into the excavated access ways (shafts and tunnels) of the

repository and its surrounding environment during the operational phase and at the early stage of

closure activities. They can also be installed below surface in the early post-closure phase.

When should this mechanism be developed? This may or may not be equal to the implementation

timescale.

Done:

Pre-operational: X

Operational: X

Pre-closure: X

Post-closure:

Small, invisible time capsules already exist, but they have not yet been applied within the context of

disposal projects. Time capsules would need to be developed during the planning and operations of a

repository, before its closure.

Should the mechanism be implemented intentionally (e.g. time capsules) or is its emergence largely

unintentional (e.g. surface traces) or can it not be fully controlled (e.g. art work)?

Intentional: X

Unintentional:

Cannot be controlled:

Time capsules are a clear example of intentional implementation.

Is the mechanism mainly tangible or intangible?

Characteristics

Tangible: X

Intangible:

Small time capsules and their content are tangible.

Does the mechanism mainly rely on mediated transmission or non-mediated transmission?

Mediated transmission:

Non-mediated transmission: X

Small time capsules would normally function as a non-mediated transmission mechanism aimed to

reach future generations directly, without relying on the presence of intermediaries.

The implementing agency could explicitly plan for the installation of small time capsules at the disposal

Actors

site, working alongside the host community and local authorities, and involving multiple disciplines

(historians, material scientists, etc.).

Small time capsules can be designed to be robust and long-lasting. Being buried they are well protected

Main strengths/

from environmental factors, such as erosion by wind and rain, and from human threats, such as theft and

benefits

vandalism. Their proximity to the repository can be seen as an advantage with regard to indicating and

informing about its presence and nature.

Long-term erosion or major geomorphological changes could be disruptive to small time capsules.

Slow degradation of the time capsule content may obscure or distort the information it carries.

Specific issues/

Amateur archaeologists, acting as “trophy hunters”, may excavate the site for small buried time capsules.

challenges

They should not interfere with the safety functions of isolation and containment nor change the

conditions of the repository environment.

Small time capsules may be missed by a potential inadvertent intruder.

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