LONDON (AP) — Four Aboriginal spears that were taken to England by Captain James Cook more than 250 years ago were returned Tuesday to Australia’s Indigenous community at a ceremony in Cambridge University.
The artifacts were all that remain of some 40 spears that Cook and botanist Joseph Banks took in April 1770, at the time of the first contact between Cook’s crew and the Indigenous people of Kamay, or Botany Bay.
The spears were presented to Trinity College, Cambridge by John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich the following year, along with other items from Cook’s voyage across the Pacific. The spears have been held at the university’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology since the early 20th century.
Their return, agreed last year following a campaign and a formal repatriation request, was hailed as a step toward reconciliation and a greater understanding of Britain and Australia’s shared history.
Jessica Biel CHOPS her long locks into a bob after book signing in Studio City
Woman and child escape Auckland house fire, gang at scene
GP practices asking patients to pay before seeing a doctor due to bill skipping
Iwi Chairs Forum reps pull out of anti
The fightback begins: Boss of London's Queen Mary University tells pro
Viable but risky: Former Whakapapa ski field bidder
Super Rugby Aupiki final live updates: Blues Women v Chiefs Manawa
Bail for man accused of grabbing schoolgirl in west Auckland
Dodgers acquire pitcher Yohan Ramírez from Mets for cash
Department of Conservation 'spread too thin', Penny Nelson tells select committee
Amtrak train hits pickup truck in upstate New York, 3 dead including child
Daylight saving: When it ends, why we observe it and how to change the time on your phone