Time capsule discovered at university

Builders discovered the time capsule in a wall

Builders working at the University of Sheffield have taken an unexpected step back in time having discovered a time capsule which was buried 100 years ago this month.

The capsule was discovered under the foundation stone of the university's main building and it had been put there during construction in 1903.

It was a lucky find by builders who came across the object and found it was an Edwardian time capsule.

Builder John Leathley said: "It was a one-in-a-million chance of hitting this, there are no records of it being buried in the wall."

And he added: "I think the guys were surprised when they came across it.

While the actual capsule was destroyed by the work in progress the papers inside remained intact.

And they tell of the earliest days of the university, including the laying of the first foundation stone in 1903.

The blueprint of the university is contained in the documents, which also reveal competition between several northern cities for university status.

The papers will now be housed in the university's archives.

The original spot in which the papers were discovered may be used to house a new time capsule for future generations to discover.