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Buried in oblivion Traditional Cache

Hidden : 4/19/2015
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

SOME HISTORY OF A FORGOTTEN TIME

Most of the information in this listing, was conveyed to me by someone who was alive at the time of the building of this dam. I was unable to confirm it through research, but the evidence is still there, almost a hunderd years later. (At time of publishing)


Fact:

Calitzdorp dam was built between 1912 and 1918. 

In January 1918, the great flu epidemic started, presumably in France. In later research, it was found that during World War I, 96000 Chinese workers worked behind British and French lines. These Chinese workers brought with them a respiratory disease that was first encountered in China in November 1917. It was proven, through studies on bodies that was frozen, that the disease in China was similar to the Spanish flu, as it was named back then. The N1H1 virus.

Between 3 and 5% of the worlds population died from this virus. Almost 500 000 people died in South Africa. 62% of the deaths were in the Cape Province. 

Unconfirmed speculation:

In 1988, the following was told to me by a person who was alive at the time of the building of Calitzdorp dam:

During the last stages of finishing the Calitzdorp dam, a flu epidemic hit South Africa. As many of the workers got infected by the disease, a field hospital was erected on top of the koppie where the cache is. Many people died, and in fear of getting infected themselves, the bodies were buried on site. 

Across the road you will see a large area full of small quartz pebbles. Walk across the road, and look closer. Only 5 meters pass this fence, you will still be able to see the rows of graves. Unmarked, some covered with a few rocks, some just a small heap of soil still indicating the grave of unknown men. A few of them had a head stone, although it was only a piece of shale rock used to indicate the head of the grave. 

The cache:

It is hidden at the listed coordinates. It's aim was to share this story, before it was forgotten forever. Enjoy the quiet surroundings. 

 

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Oruvaq fdhner obhyqre, haqre ebpxf.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)