Is it an old grave site

HI yesterday we were detecting in the pilbara near Tom Price, We came across a structure about 3 feet square and about 3 feet high built from rocks, The only thing we could think it is, is an old grave site but we are not sure, Does anyone know if this is correct or what it may be.

We have seen old sleepouts that are shaped in a u shape but this was taller and fully square.
Kind regards to you all
harrysheroes

Hi Harry...was it on a hill? may have been navigation or survey point...cairn

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairn

If it was just three rocks (or four with one on top) then it's an Aboriginal marker. They often mark gold deposits with three stones. But what you describe (if it was shaped a bit like a pyramid) is most likely what Madtuna suggested... a cairn or marker. Many graves were marked by an outline of stones in less stony areas - or, in areas where there were plenty of rocks, by a pile of stones that runs the length of the grave and also cover it. If the graves were shallow, the pile of rocks prevented the earth from expanding as decomposition occurred to the body. It also alerted others to the grave as a sign of respect to the departed.

Pic shows a typical bush grave... CLICK FOR LINK though they get a lot less neat and tidy compared to this one which is quite impressive.

On one of those outback-type documentaries that one sees from time to time,they showed a rock cairn perched on a large ,raised slab of rock which, according to the narrator, was a marker for a permanent water hole nearby.

Sounds like a trig marker or a survey or navigational marker of some discription.

Was this at a spot that was very High in the area or on flat ground.

The rocks are about 5 high and it is at the bottom of a hill

Hi Harry
just my 2 cents. being on the bottom of the hill and the size you mentioned. did you find a lot of junk around the rocks as it could have been a tank stand from time gone by.

allan

To my mind the bottom of a hill would be the likeliest place you'd find water and is in line with my prior suggestion that it could be an aboriginal cairn indicating the presence of water nearby.

Hi Harry,did you get a photo ? and was it hot out there or what ? MARTY

I think goldendream maybe on the right track it could be a water cairn maker there is also one like that just south of Cue from memory.

I have a photo but file must be to big as i cant upload it to site,
The area is at the bottom of a creek , but about 50 metres away from it, hard up against the hill, facing the main creek that flows thru the area after the rains, I will try to shrink the photo and attach it.
cheers
Harry