A dark chapter in history was reopened in Poland last week when archeologists uncovered a Nazi time capsule containing perfectly preserved mementos of Adolf Hitler.
The time capsule was buried in 1934 under Ordensburg Krössinsee, which at the time was a Nazi training academy, The Independent reported. It was found in the city of Zlocieniec, which was known as Falkenburg when it was part of Germany prior to WWII.
The capsule contained coins, letters, newspapers, pictures of Adolf Hitler and two copies of his book, “Mein Kampf.” Archaeologist Marcin Peterleitner told Polish news agency RMF 24 that the items were “perfectly preserved” and looked as if they “had been deposited yesterday,” per History.com.
Archaeologists had known the capsule was there, TalkRADIO reported, but its location was difficult to reach. The research team “had to wade through groundwater, pick their way through thick concrete and evade German mines” to access the container.
According to CBS News, the researchers believed the capsule held film containing footage of the city’s 600th anniversary celebration, which was held in 1933. However, there was no film inside the canister.
The National Museum plans to inventory and translate the documents, and make them available to local residents, History.com reported.