MILLENNIAL TIME CAPSULES AS MEANS FOR ì COMMUNICATING HUMAN HERITAGE

Claudio Pescatore, PhD Research Affiliate, Dept of Cultural Sciences, formerly with the OECD

[email protected] To be clear

ì When we deal with Records, Knowledge and Memory (RK&M) preservation for the long term there is no single memory preservation method that can be relied upon 100% to do the preservation job alone.We need rather an approach that combines different methods providing redundancy and/or support and/or pointing to one another. (see my talk of Day 1)

ì Time capsules are no exception. However, they seem well suited to support, e.g., national archives and other preservation methods, in order to preserve RK&M as long as possible or interesting.

ì Time capsules are a ready to go, workable concept. Amazingly, they have been “seriously” absent from the RK&M preservation literature. Plan of presentation

ì What is a time capsule

ì Examples of time capsules

ì Description of modern, science-based millennial time capsules

ì Emphasis on the Osaka dual time-capsule as an pertinent example worth learning from and, even, emulating

ì Conclusions

ì Recommendations What is a time “time capsule”?

ì A time capsule is a purpose-built, sealed enclosure containing a (historic) cache of records to be used as a means to inform future generations. The time for opening may be specified or not.

ì Pompeii, pyramids, etc. are not time capsule, though they can provide hints at conservation techniques ì In their simpler variety, time capsules are often used to transmit family information and heritage; at their best they are meant, however, to help future archaeologists, anthropologists, historians or society at large ì Time capsules can be multi-functional / multi-purpose ì Time capsules can be placed visibly to the public or less visibly ì There exists examples of modern, science-based millennial time capsules ì Complex, science-based time capsules require concerted efforts with society in order to be conceived and be most effective International examples of time capsules

Placed/posted Designed for opening at Multi-functional or Millennial (Y/N) Detailed communication on visibly (Y) or a specific time (Y) or at multi-purpose? (Y/N) Human Civilization not visibly (N) an indefinite time (I)

Crypt of Civilizations, Y Y N Y Y USA Osaka Castle (Dual) Y Yes, but… N Y Y Time Capsule, Japan Memory of Mankind, N I N Y Y Austria Westinghouse Time Y Y N Y Y Capsules, USA Clock of the Long Now N I N (?) Y N Foundation, USA

Pioneer, Viking and N I Y Y N Voyager Space Probes, USA Helium Centennial Y Yes, but… Y Y N Time Columns Monument, USA Voix ensevelies, N Y N N N France It all started because of Tutankhâmen - 1

ì On 26 Nov 1922 Howard Carter discovers the tomb of Tutankhâmen. The opening of the tomb officially takes place on 29 November. ì Carter invites several people to attend he opening, including Queen Elizabeth of Belgium and her son, the future Leopold III, accompanied by the Egyptologist Jean Capart. ì All are in shock. The place reveals itself to them is full of an unimaginable number of objects. There are funeral preserves, bouquets of flowers, a golden throne, large beds in the shape of animals, dismantled chariots, alabaster vases. This first room, whose walls are covered with white plaster, measures about 8 meters long by 3.60 meters wide. ì The clearance of the tomb’s objects lasted 10 years It all started because of Tutankhâmen - 2

ì The discovery had sensational waves all over the world. Journalists developed the legend of the Pharaoh's curse ì In 1924 Carter gave a series of lectures in America, sparking “Egyptomania”. This inspired Thornell Jacobs to create a similar trove of documents and objects in order to demonstrate current human culture and achievements to future generations. His “Crypt of Civilization” was realized in the years 1937-1940. In parallel, the first Westinghouse Time capsule was created. ì In 1990 the Guinness Book of World Records described the Crypt of Civilization as “the first successful attempt to bury a record of this culture for future inhabitants or visitors to the planet Earth” Millennial Time Capsules as Scientific Endeavours - 0

Westinghouse Time Capsule-I (1938) Crypt of Civilizations (1940) Millennial Time Capsules as Scientific Endeavours - 1

200 books of fiction; drawings of all of our inventions Crypt of Civilizations made to scale such as our means of transportation, communication, etc.; a record of the sports, • A purpose-built air-tight vault in a granitic amusements, pastimes and games in vogue during the environment. last century; motion pictures of historical events since • Located in the basement of Hearst Hall of 1898; still photographs giving the history of the United Oglethorpe University in Atalanta. Its steel door States since 1840; sound motion pictures of the great can be viewed daily as people go to the university men and women of the world; sound records of bookstore. important radio speeches, motion pictures of industrial • Work on the Crypt commenced in August, 1937, processes; medical and surgical subjects; views of the and continued until June, 1940. great cities of the world; sports pastime, newsreels, and • A plaque clearly signifies the purpose of the Crypt dramatic subjects; educational pictures in all subjects, to opened in 8113 AD. an apparatus for teaching the English language in case it is no longer spoken; actual samples of objects of our • Perishable items are preserved in glass daily life; scientific, navigation, and aviation enclosures from which oxygen was removed. instruments; projection apparatus for motion pictures; reading devices for the microfilm; artificial aids to sight; • National Bureau of Standards involved in artificial arms, dentures, wigs, etc.; weights and advising on preservation measures current in the world today; measuring • Devices to re-learn the English language are instruments; seeds of flowers, plants, vegetables, fruits, provided. and trees; drawings and paintings; paper-mache models of fruits and vegetables; artificial flowers; clothing, • Not only Records but also means to favour models of jewelry; no gold, silver, or jewels are included Knowledge reconstruction in order not to tempt vandals. Millennial Time Capsules as Scientific Endeavours - 2 Westinghouse time capsules of 1938 and 1965

ì Embedded in the grounds of the New York World's Fair 1939 and 1965, the Time Capsules I and II were conceived by the Westinghouse engineers. They are made of Cupaloy and of Kromarc, respectively.

ì Deemed capable of resisting the effects of time for 5,000 years. Specimen preserved in airtight, no oxygen atmosphere.

ì Preserving an account of universal achievements and including statements by great men: A. Einstein, T. Mann, R. Millikan.

ì The contents were committed to a Book of Record whose purpose is to preserve knowledge of the existence of the time capsule for 5,000 years, and to provide assistance to the people of the year 6939 in locating and recovering it.

ì More than 3,000 copies of the Book of Record were distributed to museums, monasteries, and libraries worldwide. {google: westinghouse time capsule book} Millennial Time Capsules as Scientific Endeavours - 3

Helium Centennial Time Columns Monument, Amarillo (Texas).

ì The Capsule was erected in 1968 as a monument to mark the 100th anniversary of Helium discovery with funding from individuals and Helium industry.

ì It weighs 8,5 tons. It is 6 storeys high and it acts as a sun dial

ì It contains 4 stainless steel capsules, to be opened 25, 50, 100, et 1000 years from their sealing in 1968. Next opening in 2018.

ì Each time capsule addresses a theme meant to represent the situation in the world at the time

ì Originally located on an AutoRoute, it was relocated in front of the current museum in 1983 thanks to a US Army Chinook helicopter. Millennial Time Capsules as Scientific Endeavours - 4

Osaka Castle (Dual) Time Capsule 1970-6970 ì There are two time capsules with identical content, one buried 10 meters deep underground, the other 15 meters. Created out of a collaboration between Panasonic and The Mainichi Newspapers, the time capsules are buried in Osaka Castle Park.

ì The time capsules are intended for mankind 5,000 years into the future. They contain 2,098 items that have been especially selected as cultural artefacts as of 1970.

ì The time capsule buried 10 meters underground acts as a Pilot Capsule to be inspected regularly. It was inspected and then re- buried in Nov. 2000. It will re-inspected once a century from then on. The other time capsule is slated to be opened in the year 6870. ì Nov. 2000, 173 out of the 2,098 items were checked. Though some of the bacteria samples had perished, the rice cooker and television set worked normally. In addition, the experimental plant seeds had sprouted and most of the other items had been kept in the same original state and working condition

ì The Osaka Time capsule is under the jurisdiction of the national government, because it is in a national park as well as because it contains a plutonium-based atomic clock. Design diagrams

大まかな寸法・深さ等 Ø Plaque shows the place of the burial and protects from rain

Ø Sand backfill of Monument: Stainless appropriate particle sizes steel and granite 9.5m

14.4m Ø The depth of burial was chosen in order to keep temperature constant Unit2

Same package

4.5m Unit1 Steel pipe with concrete 5 Design Specifications 7

Inner diameter: 1 m Ø Special Alloy used based on Inside volume: 0.5 m3 following factors ・ Weight : 1.74 t Impact ・Corrosion Thickness : 35 mm to 70 mm ・Temperature change ・Weldability

Ø The time capsules are filled with argon gas

Ø There are 29 small boxes in the time capsules →Conservation techniques vary from item to item Contents of each time capsule

•2,098 items

- Natural sciences : 742 items METALS, NEWLY-DEVELOPED MATERIALS, ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, MICROORGANISMS, PLANT SEEDS, SCIENTIFIC DOCUMENTARY FILM, etc.

-Social sciences : 686 items JAPANESE FLAG, CLOTHING, PICTURE SCROLLS, NEWSPAPERS, DOCUMENTARY FILM : WORLD WAR II, THE 1970 ROSETTA STONE, etc.

- Art : 592 items

- Miscellaneous : 78 items

3 Development effort - 1

ì The Osaka Castle Time Capsule is the latest of the large, buried, millennial time capsules. Its conception and development process are fully documented, easily accessible and are worth of study. http://panasonic.net/history/timecapsule/

ì The development of the Osaka Castle Time Capsule was between 1967 and 1970 based on the sponsorship of two important corporations, the work of several dedicated committees (hundreds of members), the participation of the Japanese public (over 100,000), the implication of a number of foreign individuals and institutions (in the hundreds), the creation of a temporary, technical Time Capsule Research Centre as well as facing many decisions and difficulties along the way.

ì In addition to the opportunity for re-opening at given intervals, additional follow-up provisions are in place, namely governmental controls and existence of replicas in museums. Development effort - 2

ì Preliminary executive committee that gave the general indications of the project

ì Two main committees: a technical committee made up of scientists and academics, and a selection committee made up experts, e.g., from the natural sciences, social studies and the Arts

ì Selection policy (namely, what to look for and why) and procedures for selection. Cooperation of technical and selection committee on the practicality and preservation potential of every item under consideration.

ì A budget for acquiring specimen (4 copies) and for laboratory research. Development effort - 3

ì Definition of the technical criteria for producing the time capsule itself and research into it

ì Finalizing decisions on where to bury, which included both physical and heritage considerations, e.g., Senri Hills vs Osaka Castle Park

ì Creating replicas The Osaka Dual Time Capsule is great inspiration

The Osaka Castle Dual Time Capsule has many qualities that may allow it to surmount successfully the challenge of time:

ì It is a cultural object placed in a culturally protected ground

ì It has been designed to withstand natural phenomena

ì It is unobtrusive, the only sign is a ceremonial plaque.

ì Its very weight provides protection from easy removal

ì It is under national jurisdiction. Literally it is in the portfolio of MEXT and of the city of Osaka

ì It has replicas that help propagate memory

ì It has a Pilot designed to be “controlled” every so often. ì The opening of the control capsule at regular provides the basis for a recurring ceremony (ritual) as well as the opportunity to apply most recent preservation techniques for improving on possible degradations. Conclusions

ì Time capsules are a distinctive category of historical record preservation that strongly supports and complements, e.g., the role archives, but also other components of a systemic approach to RK&M preservation. They can preserve both “raw data” (real documents and objects) and virtual data supports.

ì Developing a (large size) millennial time capsule is a challenge that others have taken up in earnest already. The Osaka Castle Time Capsule provides a model on how on such a project could be implemented.

ì A solid approach would require a fairly significant effort, yet entering into such a project can be seen as a constructive way to help preserve RK&M with the help of society at large. A large amount of collective thinking and discovery would take place. The know-how of important institutions would be brought to bear.

ì Great potential for linking to local lore and culture Link to culture and lore - examples

ì The sky is the limit: ì A municipality decides to place pictures of its people and places on the year … plus a letter of the present mayor explains today’s choices. The replica time capsule is opened every 33 years ì Two muncipalities will hold similar time capsules and will revist replicas at different times creating a stronger link amongst municipalities. They could also decide to have two different time capsules. ì Replicas can be placed in several places, e.g., besides its regular collection, the National Archive may also house a time capsule in one of its gardens. ì Etc. Recommendations

ì Go on defining further and propagating the concepts of millennial time capsules

ì Consider linking any new, human-heritage long- term communication project to one or more of the time capsules (or other projects) that already exist.