Q. Why is this is News?
A. The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has denied reports about placing of a time capsule under the ground at Ram Temple construction site in Ayodhya.
The Time Capsule, also known as Kaal Patra, was supposed to contain the history of Ayodhya and Rama Janma Bhoomi Movement.
Q. What is a Time Capsule?
A. It is a container of any size or shape, which accommodates documents, photos and artefacts typical of the current era and is buried underground, for future generations to unearth.
The time capsule requires special engineering so that the contents don’t decay, even if pulled out after a century.
Material such as aluminium and stainless steel are used for the encasing, and documents are often reproduced on acid-free paper.
Q. When this concept of Time Capsule originated and is there any organisation regulating them?
While the term “time capsule” was coined in the 20th century, among the earliest examples of one dates back to 1777, found by historians inside the statue of Jesus Christ in Spain during its restoration.
The International Time Capsule Society (ITCS), based in the US and formed in 1990, is now defunct but continues estimating the number of time capsules in the world.
As per its database, there are “10,000-15,000 times capsules worldwide”.
Q Which are some famous Time Capsules in the World ?
Q. Are there any time capsules in India?
There have been a number of prominent examples.
Q. What is the significance of time capsules?
Time Capsules are intended as a method of communication with future people.
They are also supposed to help future archaeologists, anthropologists, or historians in knowing about the past human civilisation.