Editing Crypt of Civilization

{{Short description|Time capsule in Georgia, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
[[File:Crypt of civilization.jpg |thumb|upright=1.7|{{center|Crypt of Civilization interior, photographed in 1939 prior to sealing}}]]
The '''Crypt of Civilization''' is an impenetrable, [[hermetic seal|airtight]], room-sized [[time capsule]], built between 1937 and 1940, at [[Oglethorpe University]] in [[Brookhaven, Georgia]]. The {{Convert|2000|cuft|adj=on}} repository is meant not to be opened before 8113 AD. It contains numerous [[artifact (archaeology)|artifacts]] and [[sound recording and reproduction|sound recordings]] that illustrate civilization and human development to the 20th century. Classic literature and [[religious text]]s were also deposited, as well as items showing the [[history of science|extent of scientific progress]] to 1939.

[[Thornwell Jacobs]], the initiator of the project, was inspired by the opening of [[Egyptian pyramids]] and wanted to create a repository of everyday 1930s objects and a record of human knowledge over the preceding 6,000 years. The [[Guinness Book of Records]] declared the Crypt to be the first genuine attempt to permanently preserve a record of 20th century culture for people of thousands of years into the future.

==Beginnings==
[[File:Oglethorpe University 2016.jpg|thumb|upright 1.750|Oglethorpe University – location of the Crypt is in the basement]]
[[Thornwell Jacobs]] (1877–1956), President of [[Oglethorpe University]] from 1915 to 1944, is considered the father of modern [[time capsule]]s by historian Paul Stephen Hudson.<ref name="hudson1">{{cite web|url= http://www.decaturbookfestival.com/2006/Authors/paul-stephen-hudson.html|title= Paul Stephen Hudson|access-date= June 28, 2008|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110709005139/http://www.decaturbookfestival.com/2006/Authors/paul-stephen-hudson.html|archive-date= July 9, 2011}}</ref> Jacobs was engaged in research in the 1920s for one of his books when he was astounded by the meager amount of detailed information available about ancient Egyptian life. He realized that practically all the accumulated knowledge we had of the civilization was based on two incomplete sources. One being the items found in tombs of the [[Pharaohs of Egypt]] and the kings of [[Sumeria]] and [[Babylonia]]. The second was from rock inscriptions and tablets found in ancient [[Assyria]]. He determined that while the ancient items found gave some degree of life events from thousands of years ago there were no complete and accurate records on any single generation of how people lived.{{sfn|Peters|1940|page=7}}

Jacobs' vision was to make available to some civilization far in the future a kind of latter-day Egyptian style tomb of a complete cross section record of physical and visual items showing the life and traditions that people had developed to the time of the closing of the crypt.<ref name=QCT7_29_1993>{{cite news |author=  |title= Time capsules leave behind remnants of our lives |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69847755/ |work= Quad-City Times |page= 42 |location=Davenport, Iowa|date= July 29, 1993 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}} }}</ref> In 1935, he discussed this idea with the editor of ''[[Scientific American]]'', [[Orson Munn]], and he promised to use the magazine to publicize the project.{{sfn|Peters|1940|page=7}} In November 1936 an article was published describing the time capsule project. Jacobs sought the help of scientist [[Thomas Kimmwood Peters|Thomas K. Peters]] and the project was started in August 1937. By June 1940 they had collected all the items they thought represented human life on earth of the previous 6000 years.<ref name=ModernTimeCapsule>{{cite web |url= https://crypt.oglethorpe.edu/history/  |title= History / Thornwell Jacobs-The Father of the Modern Time Capsule |author= <!--Not stated--> |date= 2021 |publisher= Oglethorpe University |access-date= March 4, 2021 }}</ref> Jacobs calculated that 6,177 years had passed since the start of the [[Egyptian calendar]] and proposed the creation of a Crypt of Civilization to be opened in 8113 CE after another 6,177 years.<ref name=TAC9_29_1994>{{cite news |author= Duane D. Stanford |title= College historic areas make National Register |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69449733/ |work= The Atlanta Constitution |page= 95 |location= Atlanta, Georgia |date= September 29, 1994 |via= [[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}} |access-date= February 9, 2021 |archive-date= February 10, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210210133249/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69449733/the-atlanta-constitution/ |url-status= live }}</ref><ref name=PO3_29_1940>{{cite news |author=  |title= Crypt of Civilization |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69834240/ |work= Public Opinion |page= 12 |location= Chambersburg, Pennsylvania |date= March 29, 1940 |via= [[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}} |access-date= February 10, 2021 |archive-date= February 10, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210210133220/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69834240/public-opinion/ |url-status= live }}</ref>

The Crypt of Civilization was constructed in the swimming pool in the basement of the [[Oglethorpe University#Campus|Phoebe Hearst Hall]] at Oglethorpe University.<ref name=PI3_6_1992>{{cite news |author= Rachel E. Sheeley |title= Capsule captivates local man |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74120708/ |work= Palladium-Item |page= 7 |location= Richmond, Indiana|date= March 6, 1992 |via= [[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}} }}</ref><ref name=TAC12_26_2017>{{cite news |author= <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title= Time Keepers |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69521830/ |work= The Atlanta Constitution |page= B3 |location= Atlanta, George |date= December 26, 2017 |via= [[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}} |access-date= February 9, 2021 |archive-date= February 10, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210210133223/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69521830/the-atlanta-constitution/ |url-status= live }}</ref> The swimming pool was modified into an airtight chamber, measuring {{Convert|20|ft|abbr=on}} long, {{Convert|10|ft|abbr=on}} high and {{Convert|10|ft|abbr=on}} wide, which was remodeled between 1937 and 1940.<ref name=TCR6_27_1930B>{{cite news |author= <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title= Oglethorpe / Worldwide headlines |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69447029/ |work= The Atlanta Constitution |page= 129 |location= Atlanta, George |date= February 10, 1985 |via= [[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}} |access-date= February 9, 2021 |archive-date= February 10, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210210133249/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69447029/the-atlanta-constitution/ |url-status= live }}</ref> It sits on a bedrock floor and has a stone roof {{Convert|7|ft|abbr=on}} thick.<ref name="crypt3"/> The walls are lined with plates of [[vitreous enamel|enamel]], secured in place with [[tar|pitch]].<ref name=TCR6_27_1930B/> The [[stainless steel]] doorway was [[welding|welded]] permanently closed after the [[oxygen]] had been removed and replaced with [[chemically inert|inert]] [[nitrogen]]. Peters supervised construction and served as the Crypt's archivist who would represent the current civilization.<ref name="crypt3"/><ref name="crypt1"/> The project was financed by industrialists and philanthropists.<ref name=QCT7_29_1993/> The crypt was deeded to the United States government, its heirs and assigns, to be held in trust for the people of the 82nd century.{{sfn|Peters|1940|page=8}}

==Contents==
[[File:Gregs log house.jpg|thumb|upright 1.0|Typical example of [[Lincoln Logs]] placed in crypt]] 
The [[National Institute of Standards and Technology#Bureau of Standards (1901–1988)|Bureau of Standards]] was consulted on the design of the Crypt and advised how artifacts should be stored.<ref name="crypt1"/><ref name="crypt3b">{{cite web|url= https://crypt.oglethorpe.edu/history/detailed-history|title= Detailed History – The "Archaeological Duty" of Thornwell Jacobs: The Oglethorpe Atlanta Crypt of Civilization Time Capsule|access-date= February 10, 2021|archive-date= February 11, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210211005433/https://crypt.oglethorpe.edu/history/detailed-history/|url-status= live}}</ref> The chamber resembles a room of an ancient Egyptian pyramid with artifacts placed on shelves and the floor. Many items are stored in stainless steel holders, lined with glass and filled with an [[inert gas]] to prevent aging, a concept later carried over to the [[Westinghouse Time Capsules]].<ref name="crypt1"/> The walls are painted with [[pictograph]]s by [[George L. Carlson]] that show the history of intelligence and human development.<ref name=TCJ9_27_1962>{{cite news |author=  |title= Deaths Elsewhere / George L Carlson|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/70579944/ |work= The Courier-Journal |page= 42 |location= Louisville, Kentucky|date= September 27, 1962 |via= [[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}}  }}</ref><ref name=TSNL8_21_1990>{{cite news |author=Keith Phillips |title= Will slice of civilization be found in 6,000 years?|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/70583989/ |work= The Springfield News-Leader |page= 26 |location= Springfield, Missouri|date= August 21, 1990 |via= [[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}}  }}</ref> There is a small windmill inside the vault that will make electricity to operate the electrical items buried in the time capsule.<ref name=TMH6_22_2003>{{cite news |author=  |title= City to create time capsule |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69967489/ |work= The Miami Herald |page= 73 |location= Miami, Florida|date= June 22, 2003 |via= [[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}}  }}</ref>

Many of the artifacts were donated and contributions were received from the King of Sweden [[Gustav V]] and [[Eastman Kodak]].<ref name="crypt1"/> Suggestions for items that were accepted for the chamber included a [[mechanical pencil]], a fountain pen and a can opener.<ref name=WB12_17_1953>{{cite news |author=  |title= The Crypt of Civilization |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69756188/ |work= Warrenton Banner |page= 1 |location= Warrenton, Missouri |date= December 17, 1953 |via= [[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}} |access-date= February 9, 2021 |archive-date= February 10, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210210133220/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69756188/warrenton-banner/ |url-status= live }}</ref> Other artifacts deposited were [[seed]] samples, [[dental floss]], a woman's purse with typical contents, some [[Artie Shaw]] records, an electric [[toaster]], a [[pacifier]], a bottle of [[Budweiser beer]] encapsulated in special material for preservation, a manual [[typewriter]], an electronic radio, a store [[cash register]], an office [[adding machine]], and an electric [[White Family Rotary|sewing machine]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ismacs.net/white/white-sewing-machine-company-history.html | title=Article on the WHite Sewing Machine Company }}</ref> Children's toys were deposited as well, including [[Lincoln Logs]], a plastic [[Donald Duck]], a miniature plastic statue of the [[Lone Ranger]], and a cloth and wooden [[black doll]].<ref name="crypt3"/><ref name="crypt1"/> Also placed in the crypt were miniature reproductions of some of the [[List of statues|most famous sculptures ever made]].{{sfn|Peters|1940|page=18}}

[[File:Mutoscope Filmhuset 2014.jpg|thumb|upright 0.72|Hand operated [[Mutoscope]] was converted into translator]]
Airtight canisters containing cellulose acetate film were also placed into the chamber. These microfilms contain more than 800 standard books of literature (over 600,000 pages), including the Christian Bible, the [[Quran]], [[Homer]]'s ''[[Song of Ilium]]'', and [[Dante Alighieri|Dante's]] ''[[Divine Comedy]]''.<ref name="crypt3"/>{{sfn|Seibert|2002|pages=16–24}} An original manuscript ''[[Gone with the Wind (film)|Gone With the Wind]]'' film was donated by movie producer [[David O. Selznick]].<ref name=TAC2_26_1940>{{cite news |author=  |title= Oglethorpe Crypt to preserve GWTW |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/70563806/ |work= The Atlantic Constitution |page= 6 |location= Atlanta, Georgia|date= February 26, 1940 |via= [[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}} }}</ref> [[AMORC]] was asked by Peters to send from their archives manuscripts of their philosophy to be deposited inside the Crypt time vault with the other artifacts that are to be seen by those of 8113 CE when the time capsule reopens.<ref name=TBH2_28_1940>{{cite news |author=  |title= Rosicrucians aid in Crypt of Civilization |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/70556402/|work= The Brownsville Herald |page= 18 |location= Brownsville, Texas|date= February 28, 1940 |via= [[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}} }}</ref> Collected also for the time treasure was film on [[Ohio]]'s industrial and historical scenes including [[Travel documentary|travelogues]] and agricultural scenes of the state.<ref name=GDA3_1_1940>{{cite news |author=  |title= Ohio movie planned for Georgia Crypt |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/70561747/ |work= Greenville Daily Advocate |page= 6 |location= Greenville, Ohio|date= March 1, 1940 |via= [[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}} }}</ref> There are also glass bell jars that hold less than life size models of men and women dressed in 1930s clothing.{{sfn|Peters|1940|page=14}}

The crypt contains voice recordings of leaders from the 1930s, including [[Adolf Hitler]], [[Joseph Stalin]], [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]], and [[Benito Mussolini]]. The sounds of [[Popeye the Sailor Man]] and a professional [[Hog Calling|pig caller]] were stored inside the crypt. Peters, the archivist, placed electric [[microfilm reader]]s and [[Image projector|picture projectors]] in the chamber to allow future generations to view and listen to the recordings. He also provided a windmill to generate electricity to run the devices, as well as a magnifier for the microfilm records, should electricity not be in general use by the 82nd century.<ref name="crypt3">{{cite web|url= http://crypt.oglethorpe.edu/history/|title= History of the Crypt of Civilization|access-date= October 22, 2015|archive-date= October 2, 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151002192347/http://crypt.oglethorpe.edu/history/|url-status= live|quote= Determined to make an effort to preserve in a scientific manner every salient feature of present day civilization for the people of the future, Dr. Jacobs devised the plans for the Crypt of Civilization.}}</ref><ref name="crypt1">{{cite web|url= http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-864|title= The New Georgia Encyclopedia — Crypt of Civilization|access-date= June 29, 2008|archive-date= February 10, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210210133230/https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/crypt-civilization|url-status= live|quote= Oglethorpe University president Thornwell Jacobs (1877–1956), in an article in the November 1936 ''Scientific American'' magazine, claimed to be the first to conceive the idea of consciously preserving artifacts for posterity by placing them in a sealed repository.}}</ref> Engraved steel panels of the ''[[Atlanta Journal]]'' newspaper showing reports from the first year of [[World War II]], were also placed in the crypt.<ref name="crypt3"/><ref name="crypt1"/>

An array of contemporary scientific instruments were gathered for the crypt such as an [[altimeter]] and a [[barometer]], as well as common appliances like a telephone and a television.<ref name=TSR4_28_1940>{{cite news |author=  |title= 8113 Will Hear of 1940 |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69867018/ |work= The Spokesman-Review |page= 87 |location= Spokane, Washington |date= April 28, 1940 |via= [[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}} |access-date= February 10, 2021 |archive-date= February 11, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210211005357/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69867018/the-spokesman-review/ |url-status= live }}</ref> Peters also left behind a device of his innovation called a "[[Language Integrator]]", a modified [[Mutoscope]] that was a hand-operated movie projector with sound that would teach English to the future generation that came upon the crypt.<ref name=TNAT6_29_1938>{{cite news |author= Paul Simmons |title= Invention key to 20th Century |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69802140/ |work= The North Adams Transcript |page= 7 |location= North Adams, Massachusetts |date= June 29, 1938 |via= [[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}} |access-date= February 9, 2021 |archive-date= February 10, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210210133222/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69802140/the-north-adams-transcript/ |url-status= live }}</ref> This was a type of [[Rosetta Stone]] and another concept carried forward to the Westinghouse Time Capsules.<ref name="crypt1"/>{{sfn|Seibert|2002|pages=16–24}}  Peters also delivered a film he had made about the crypt entitled ''The Stream of Knowledge'' that was published in 1938.<ref name="crypt1"/> Jacobs left a written note for those opening the crypt in 8113 CE, in which he hoped for future efforts in preservation. He pointed out that the world had been engaged in scientifically preserving the human civilization customs and culture for future generations, and in this crypt it had been presented to these people.<ref name="crypt3"/><ref name="crypt1"/><ref name=UnknownWorld>{{cite web |url= https://www.unknownworld.co.uk/the-crypt-of-civilization/ |title= The Crypt of Civilization |author= <!--Not stated--> |date= May 2017 |publisher= Unknown World |access-date= February 10, 2021 |archive-date= February 10, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210210133226/https://www.unknownworld.co.uk/the-crypt-of-civilization/ |url-status= live|quote=This room is the Crypt of Civilization, and it represents the first successful attempt to record and preserve a snapshot of human culture and civilization for future inhabitants of planet Earth.}}</ref>

==Promotion==
[[File:Back of Stone Mountain Park 2009.jpg|thumb|upright 1.0|Stone Mountain in US state of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]]]
In 1937, Jacobs spoke on the [[National Broadcasting Company]] in New York to promote the Crypt on nationwide radio. A dedication ceremony at the Oglethorpe University campus took place in May 1938, led by [[David Sarnoff]] of [[Radio Corporation of America]] and the Paramount newsreels of the occasion were later placed in the crypt.<ref name="crypt1"/> Metal cards were sold to the public by the university for one dollar, which would permit a future descendant of the contributor to attend the reentering of the crypt at noon on Thursday, May 28, 8113.<ref name=PO3_29_1940/>{{refn|group=nb|In the [[Gregorian calendar]] May 28, 8113 will be a Sunday. Note that the Georgian calendar has an [[Gregorian calendar#Accuracy|error of one day every 3030 years]].}} The location of this repository of civilization items was a concern of the far future civilization being able to know of it and its whereabouts so a system was devised. Directions to the Crypt of Civilization in the state of Georgia in southeastern United States was written in seven Asiatic and seven European languages and deposited in various type libraries all over the world. The information provided told of its contents and showed its location in relation to reference points like [[Stone Mountain]].<ref name=TSLT8_29_1990>{{cite news |author= Keith Phillips |title= Crypt Entombs Secrets of 1930s for Habitants of 82nd Century |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72148129/ |work=The Salt Lake Tribune |page= 61 |location=Salt Lake City, Utah|date= August 29, 1990 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}} }}</ref>

Jacobs and Peters permanently closed off the crypt in a ceremony that was announced in a newscast by Atlanta's [[WSB (AM)|WSB]] radio May 25, 1940.<ref name="crypt3"/> Notable figures present at the ceremony were Dr. Amos Ettinger, [[William B. Hartsfield]], Dr. M. D. Collins, [[Ivan Allen, Jr.]], politician [[E. D. Rivers]], postmaster [[James Farley]] and [[Pulitzer Prize]] winner [[Clark Howell]].<ref name="crypt3"/> The door was welded shut, and a plaque was fused to it with a message to the people of 8113 CE from Jacobs. In 1990, [[Guinness World Records]] wrote that the vault was the first genuine attempt that successfully preserved permanently a record of 20th-century cultural objects for any future inhabitants of Earth or visitors that may come to the unoccupied planet.{{sfn|Dean|2010|page=18}}

==Legacy==
[[File:Westinghouse replicas Sep 65.jpg|thumb|upright 1.0|Westinghouse time capsule exhibit]]
The Crypt of Civilization intrigued America and was replicated by many others. [[George Edward Pendray]], a [[public relations]] executive in the mid-1930s, created the [[Westinghouse Time Capsules|Westinghouse time capsule]] for a public ceremony for the [[1939 New York World's Fair|1939–40 New York World's Fair]], to raise awareness of his company's repository vault.{{sfn|Peters|1940|page=11}}  The rocket-shaped vessel, with a {{convert|7|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} exterior made from the metal alloy [[cupaloy]], contained a [[Pyrex]] inner tube in which articles were placed.<ref name="crypt3"/> Pendray's design was originally called a "time bomb", but the name was later changed to avoid an association with warfare. Pendray chose the name "time capsule" as it encapsulated within a container man-made objects and was intended to be opened in 61 centuries.<ref name="crypt3"/><ref name="crypt1"/> A second capsule was created by Westinghouse for the [[1964 New York World's Fair]] and an exhibit was set up to show the contents and history of the time capsules. Both these capsules are intended to be available to the people of [[7th millennium|6939 CE]] only and are not to be opened before then.{{sfn|Westinghouse|1938|page=6}}

The Crypt of Civilization has been published or broadcast by the media since its inception, including the [[Associated Press]], [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], [[NBC]], [[CNN]], [[NPR]], the [[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|''Atlanta Journal Constitution'']], and the ''[[The New York Times|New York Times newspaper]]''.<ref name="crypt3"/> After the sealing ceremony in 1940, media organizations continued to re-visit the crypt in news stories every decade.<ref name="crypt3"/> The [[International Time Capsule Society]], an international society club for recording the locations and contents of time capsules worldwide, was founded at Oglethorpe University on the fiftieth anniversary (1990) of the official closing of the vault.<ref name="ITCS1">{{cite web|url= http://www.oglethorpe.edu/about_us/crypt_of_civilization/international_time_capsule_society.asp|title= Oglethorpe University – International Time Capsule Society|access-date= July 1, 2008|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080620232510/http://www.oglethorpe.edu/about_us/crypt_of_civilization/international_time_capsule_society.asp|archive-date= June 20, 2008}}</ref> The Crypt of Civilization regained prominence from 1999 to 2001 as a result of the [[Millennium celebrations]].<ref name="crypt1"/> The Crypt was featured in an episode of ''[[Life After People|Life After People: The Series]]'' on the [[History (U.S. TV channel)|History Channel]].<ref name="HistoryChannel">{{cite web|url= https://www.history.com/shows/life-after-people/season-2/episode-3|title= Life After People – Jan 19, 2010|access-date= February 10, 2012|archive-date= February 11, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210211005438/https://www.history.com/shows/life-after-people/season-2/episode-3|url-status= live}}</ref> The story of the Crypt was published in major newspapers all around the world.{{sfn|Peters|1940|page=20}}

Peters observed that the fact of such a project designed for people that will not even be born for one hundred and eighty-six [[generation]]s (6,177 years) is the built-in belief that the human race will still exist and that therefore there is a need for historical preservation. He further shows that there is even a hint of [[reincarnation]] by the fact that newspaper reporter and historian [[Frank G. Menke]] asked the movie star singer [[Bing Crosby]] to be [[Master of Ceremonies]] at the opening of the crypt in 8113 CE. Crosby responded to this by saying he would be glad to do that as long as his filming schedule at the time would allow it.{{sfn|Peters|1940|page=20}}<ref name=CDT8_19_1950>{{cite news |author=John Temple Graves  |title= Next to the News |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73347814/ |work= Chattanooga Daily Times |page= 8 |location=Chattanooga, Tennessee |date= August 19, 1950 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}} }}</ref><ref name=TT8_8_1950>{{cite news |author=John Temple Graves  |title= What Will 8113 Bring |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73348374/ |work= The Times |page= 4 |location=Shreveport, Louisiana|date= August 8, 1950 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}} }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Georgia Guidestones]]
* [[Time capsule]]
* [[List of time capsules]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Note==
{{reflist|group=nb}}

== Sources ==

*{{cite book |last=Dean|first=Norman L.|title= The Man Behind the Bottle |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=_0TOKtTyS5MC&dq=%22the+first+successful+attempt+to+bury+a+record+of+this+culture+for+any+future+inhabitants+or+visitors+to+the+planet+Earth.%22&pg=PA18  |year= 2010 |publisher= Norman L. Dean |isbn=9781450054041}}
* {{cite book|last=Peters|first= T.K. |title=The Story of the Crypt of Civilization|location=Atlanta, Georgia|url= |date=1940|publisher= Oglethorpe University Press|oclc=1927147|quote= (page 20) "Thanks for your little tip handling the Master of Ceremnonies job in 8113 A.D. My appearance will be contingent upon my motion picture schedule, however, if I am free at the time, I shall be very happy to act as Master of Ceremonies at good old Oglethorpe University." }}
* {{cite book|last=Westinghouse |first= Electric and Manufacturing Company |title=The book record of time capsule of cupaloy|location=New York City|url=https://archive.org/details/timecapsulecups00westrich |date=1938|publisher=[[Westinghouse Electric (1886)|Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company]] }}
*{{cite book |last=Seibert|first=Patricia|title= We Were Here  |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=1HbNQT3EWhcC&q=Crypt+of+Civilization&pg=PA16 |year= 2002 |publisher= Millbrook Press  |isbn=9780761304234}}

==External links==
*[http://crypt.oglethorpe.edu/ Official Website]
*[http://crypt.oglethorpe.edu/inventory/ Complete list of contents]
*[http://www.damninteresting.com/?p=414 Article on the Crypt and its contents]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100730004902/http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/04/16/preserving-our-history-in-a-tomb/ ''Popular Science'' article from December 1938]
{{Oglethorpe University|state=expanded}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Crypt Of Civilization}}
[[Category:Time capsules]]
[[Category:Culture of Atlanta]]
[[Category:Oglethorpe University]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Atlanta]]
[[Category:1936 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Brookhaven, Georgia]]