During restoration efforts in a Gothic cathedral in southwestern Poland, restorers stumbled upon what historians are calling the oldest time capsule in the world, hidden away for more than 370 years.
This was reported by TVP.
The remarkable find was made during restoration work at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Legnica, a city in the Lower Silesia region of Poland. Earlier this month, a commission opened a container that held four documents and 35 coins made of gold, silver, and copper.
«The oldest parchment document is dated July 18, 1650. It was placed there during the reconstruction of the tower, which had been destroyed in a major fire in Legnica two years earlier,» said Marcin Makuch, director of the Copper Museum in Legnica.
Overall, the capsule contained five gold coins, 26 silver coins, and four copper coins. Among the most valuable finds are two gold coins minted by Duke Georg Rudolf of Legnica: a ducat from 1621 and a thaler from 1607. Historians assert that the capsule was updated several times. In 1775, locals added two documents and 23 coins, many of which are associated with the reign of Frederick II of Prussia, better known as Frederick the Great. There were also four silver coins from Polish King Augustus III. In 1823, the capsule was replenished again, this time with a document and ten coins minted during the reign of Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III. According to the Legnica Museum, the find holds international significance. The oldest item discovered is 375 years old, making this capsule older than other known time capsules, including those found in Poland's Wawel Castle (1716), the town of Wschowa (1726), and Boston, USA (1761). Until now, the oldest known example was a 1704 capsule from the town of Niedźwiedź, located in the same region of Poland. Time capsules, often placed in church towers or town halls, were traditionally used to leave messages for future generations during significant renovations or symbolic events. The museum announced that the capsule and its treasures will be displayed to the public on September 19 during a special exhibition at the Legnica Cathedral.
