Inside a nearly 200-year-old time capsule opened at West Point
A US military academy held a ceremonious gathering to view the contents of an ancient time capsule found on the property. It was buried around the time that future Confederate General Robert E. Lee graduated, according to reports.
The time capsule, measured at about a cubic foot and made entirely out of lead and solder seams, was opened during a live streamed event at the US Military Academy at West Point. Several officials expressed their excitement about discovering the contents of the box.
The academy's command historian Jennifer Voigtschild said: "It’s a mystery, right? A mystery of history." Another official is seen on video speaking to the audience through a microphone.
He asks a fellow official, named Jen, "when was the last time a time capsule was opened here? Never, exactly. This is a first."
Unfortunately, the big reveal was actually a big let down. When Paul Hudson, West Point archeologist, used a square point knife to cut a hole in the top, a woman can be heard in the background asking about the contents of the box, exuberantly.
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The huge reveal of the 200-year-old time capsule was anticlimactic as the only thing found was a solid matter (AP)Footage shows a small flashlight shone through the box revealed the contents to be a mysterious solid matter.
"Oh," said Paul and Micheal Diaz, West Point Museum Curator, peering into the time capsule. Another speculates that the contents are either some kind of clay or maybe some mud that has settled at the bottom. A wave of disappointment spread across the room. Paul, who had just done the honor of opening the capsule, looked up at the camera with a half smile and said:
"The box didn't quite meet expectations." Despite the anticlimactic finish, West Point officials still thanked the audience for uncovering a piece of the academy's history with them.
"We hoped you enjoyed seeing what's in the box here today at West Point as we uncover history." The time capsule was discovered in May by a construction worker who was working on the restoration to a monument honoring the war hero Thaddeus Kosciuszko, who was a Polish general, military engineer and revolutionary. It was found in the statue's marble base, according to Fox News.
Kenneth Allen, professor of nuclear engineering, conducts an X-ray on a time capsule, Friday, June 9, 2023 (AP)Cadets in the 1820s honored Kosciuszko with a column. It resides near where current classes march and play soccer. As a continental army officer, he designed wartime fortifications along the Hudson River, before the military academy was established in 1802.
West Point officials believe the time capsule was left behind by cadets in the 1820s. It isn't clear when exactly the capsule was placed there or what items were put inside. However, a collective of five cadets involved with the time capsule included Robert E. Lee who graduated in 1829 and would go on to be an influential confederate general.
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