ˈɜːli mˈɑːɹkɚz wɜː sˈɪmpəl wˈʊdən pˈɪlɚz ɔːɹ kɹˈɔsᵻz bˌʌt ðeɪ dɪtˈiəɹɪɹˌeɪɾᵻd kwˈɪkli ɪnðə tɹˈɑːpɪkəl klˈaɪmət wˌɛɹ ðeɪ wɜːɹ ˈɔfən ɪɹˈɛktᵻd.
Early markers were simple wooden pillars or crosses but they deteriorated quickly in the tropical climate where they were often erected.