A colonial explorer stole Aboriginal spears in 1770. Centuries later, they'll finally return to Aust

A colonial explorer stole Aboriginal spears in 1770. Centuries later, they'll finally return to Australia

Published 4th March 2023

By Zoe Sottile, CNN

Four Aboriginal spears taken by British explorer James Cook in 1770, thought to be some of the oldest surviving artifacts collected by any European from Australia, will be repatriated to the La Perouse Aboriginal community, Cambridge University announced.

The spears were originally part of a group of 40 taken by Cook from Kamay, also known as Botany Bay, according to a news release from the University of Cambridge's Trinity College. Cook's records show that he took the spears from Aboriginal people living in eastern Australia without their consent, the news release says.

After Cook returned to England, four of the spears were presented by Lord Sandwich to Trinity College. They've been in the care of Cambridge's Museum of Archeology and Anthropology since 1914, according to the news release.

In the release, La Perouse Aboriginal Land Council chairperson Noeleen Timbery called the spears "enormously significant."
They are an important connection to our past, our traditions and cultural practices, and to our ancestors," Timbery said.

More:
http://us.cnn.com/style/article/aboriginal-spears-james-cook-cambridge-trnd/index.html

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