Sites

The site consisted of an area which had been cleared of vegetation and which contains a rectangular area of whitish soil with a wooden cross on its eastern end. The cross had been fixed in position by a small number of rocks and at its base the burnt-out remains of coloured candles as well as a number of coins were observed. While the general appearance of the feature was that of a grave, a number of typical grave characteristics were lacking. These included the fact that the cross was positioned on the eastern end of the “grave dressing”. In Christian burials most headstones and crosses are in fact placed on the western end above or in the vicinity of the head, which is always on the western end with the feet on the eastern end. The orientation of the rectangular “grave dressing” was furthermore along the North-West axis. The other disparity was the fact that the customary method for informal burials found in the veld is to either place a high heap of soil on the grave or alternatively pack some stones over it. Especially the last measure is to ensure that the grave will not be excavated or disturbed by dogs or other animals.