MAJOR Crime detectives have been sent to a Yorke Peninsula cemetery to examine human bones — potentially decades old — found in a part of the cemetery that was not used for burials.

Forensic experts and CIB detectives also have been dispatched to the Ardrossan Cemetery after the “unexplained human bones” were first reported to police on Monday.

Police went to the cemetery after being advised of the discovery by council workers who were preparing graves.

The remains were buried in a place within the cemetery not known to have been used for burials.

Police say the “circumstances surrounding the location of the bones” have prompted the investigation.

Superintendent Scott Denny said a council worker doing excavation work at the cemetery found the bones, believed to belong to an adult, about 8am on Monday.

“In the process of digging he located some bones,” he said.

“The bones at this stage are in an area of the cemetery which we don’t believe, certainly records don’t indicate, has previously been used (for burials).”

media_camera Forensic investigators — along with Major Crime detectives — at the Ardrossan Cemetery today. Picture: Tait Schmaal

Supt Denny said the find, at the rear of the cemetery, was “not overly suspicious” and there was nothing to indicate foul play was involved.

He said the bones were potentially decades old, and may predate council burial records.

“Whilst the bones at this stage we are saying are unexplained, it’s certainly a possibility that the bones have been part of what could have been a routine burial at one stage and perhaps due to the age haven’t been captured on records,” he said.

“They are certainly not fresh bones but we can say they are definitely human bones.”

Supt Denny said the skeleton was not yet complete, but there were “lots of bones”.

Investigators are sending real time images to forensic investigators in Adelaide while manually digging about a metre into the ground to reach the bones.

“As we uncover the bones we have the ability to not only describe the bones, but through photographic images, at least get an initial assessment,” Supt Denny said.

“An actual true assessment will come via the bones being conveyed to Adelaide and being accurately and DNA forensically tested.”

media_camera Police tape on the entrance to Ardrossan Cemetery. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

Supt Denny said it could take 24-48 hours before details including the age, sex and ethnicity were known.

He appealed to anyone who may have information that could help police to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.

“With all police investigations, if any of the community does have any information please let us know.

“It may be that whilst records don’t necessarily indicate that the area is a previous burial site, there may be someone that has some history attached to it that may be able to let us know.

“If you have that information please let us know.”

media_camera Major Crime detectives and Yorke Peninsula police are investigating the discovery of “unexplained” human bones at the Ardrossan Cemetery on Yorke Highway. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

District Council of Yorke Peninsula chief executive officer Andrew Cameron said a council contractor digging the grave adjacent to the site found the bones.

“It was a surprise to the contractor that was digging the grave alongside the plot,” he said.

“It was an unusual find.”

He said there was no record of a lease on the plot where the bones were found.

“Our records date back to the early 1880s, obviously record keeping back then probably wasn’t as stringent as it is now,” Mr Cameron said.

“We thought it was prudent to notify police and we are working with them”.

He said the depth of the bones “wouldn’t be typical of a traditional burial, but given it was some time ago we just don’t know”.

He said the area was not known to be an aboriginal burial site.

media_camera Police are investigating the discovery of human bones at the Ardrossan Cemetery. Map: WhereiS

Originally published as Human bones found in suspicious part of cemetery