The Crypt of Civilization

09-11-2025

Curiosity drives human discovery.

Most individuals feel a natural urge to explore their surroundings and understand how things work. Yet many often claim they are too busy to dig deeper. Distractions limit our focus, and knowledge slips away before we realize it.

Attention spans keep shrinking.

Daily life moves quickly, and much of it goes unnoticed. We forget not just today’s lessons but also those of the past. As society grows weary, our memory shortens, leaving us vulnerable to repeating the same errors.

History is not always reliable.

Academics often teach history as written by selective authors. This creates bias and sometimes distorts the truth. Wise learners search for original sources, verifying facts whenever possible. Without this effort, we only inherit revisionist history instead of reality.

A bold vision begins.

In 1935, Dr. Thornwell Jacobs of Oglethorpe University asked why civilizations left so little trace. By 1937, with Thomas K. Peters, he began compiling 6,000 years of knowledge. Their ambitious project became the famed Crypt of Civilization.

Knowledge sealed for the future.

The crypt included books, films, recordings, inventions, instruments, seeds, and even daily-life objects. Built under Phoebe Hearst Hall, it was sealed on May 28, 1940. According to Jacobs, it should not be opened until May 28, 8113.

Preserving capsules worldwide.

Fifty years later, scholars formed the International Time Capsule Society (ITCS) at Oglethorpe. Their mission remains to document every capsule across the globe. Through this work, human memory may endure, and future generations can better understand our legacy.

Consider your own legacy.

The Crypt of Civilization challenges us to ask: how will future generations remember us? If you feel inspired, explore time capsule tips from the ITCS. Creating your capsule ensures your story, like the Crypt of Civilization, will not be forgotten.

To learn more, visit the blog life, reflection, and faith.