23 in 1791

A time capsule was found atop a bell tower at Mexico City's Metropolitan Cathedral, where it was placed in 1791 to protect the building from harm, researchers said Tuesday.

The lead box — filled with religious artifacts, coins and parchments — was hidden in a hollow stone ball to mark the moment on May 14, 1791, when the building's topmost stone was laid, 218 years after construction had begun.

More than 200 years ago. How fucking badass to find such a find.

Also inside was an engraving of Saint Barbara, a Roman Catholic martyr associated with lightning whose image served as "a religious lightening rod, to protect against damage," said archaeologist Xavier Cortes, director of historic buildings for the National Council of the Arts and Culture.

Weird. I thought she was someone out of Santeria. I wonder if she was a gnostic?

A perfectly preserved parchment listed the time capsule's contents — including 23 medals, 5 coins, and five small crosses made of palm fronds — which it said were "for protection from the storms."

2 + 3 = 5

The cathedral was built on the swampy terrain of a former island and partially atop an Aztec pyramid.