A native burial ground on Charlton estate, near Ross.

The customs observed by the Aborigines in disposing of their dead relatives and friends have been most carefully described in Ling Roth's book on the Aborigines of Tasmania: Ling Roth, The Aborigines of Tasmania, 2nd ed., Halifax (England), 1899, pp. 1 16-122.
But in perusing this compilation anyone must be struck by the rather conflicting accounts given by different observers.
The earliest, and probably the most trustworthy description of a native grave is given by Peron: Peron and Freycinet, Voyage de Decouvertes aux Terres Australis, Paris, 1807-1816.
The conclusions we may, however, draw from this as to earlier history of mankind are of the greatest importance. We may eonelude that early man disposed of the dead bodies by cremation, and that the custom of burying the corpse is of much later date.