Captain Cook's Aboriginal Spears Returned to Australia After 250 Years in England

Aboriginal spears taken by Captain James Cook in 1770 were returned to Australia from England, marking a step toward reconciliation.

Today, the Indigenous community of Australia celebrated the return of four Aboriginal spears, which were taken to England by Captain James Cook more than 250 years ago. The artifacts were returned at a ceremony held at Cambridge University, marking a significant event in history.

The Journey of the Artifacts

In April 1770, Captain James Cook and botanist Joseph Banks took around 40 spears during the first contact between Cook's crew and the Indigenous people of Kamay, also known as Botany Bay. These spears were then 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. After being held at the university's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology since the early 20th century, these spears have now been returned to their rightful owners.

Significance of the Return

The return of these spears, agreed upon last year following a campaign and a formal repatriation request, is being hailed as a crucial step toward reconciliation and a greater understanding of Britain and Australia's shared history. Sally Davies, head of Trinity College, emphasized that the decision to return the spears was the “right decision” and that the institution was “committed to reviewing the complex legacies of the British empire, not least in our collections."

Nicholas Thomas, director of Cambridge's archaeology museum, described the spears as “exceptionally significant” as they were the first artifacts collected by the British from any part of Australia that remain. He also pointed out that they reflect the beginnings of a history of misunderstanding and conflict.

A Momentous Occasion

The Gujaga Foundation, which leads cultural and research programs within the La Perouse Aboriginal community, expressed their joy at the artifacts' return, marking it as a “momentous occasion." Ray Ingrey, the foundation's director, highlighted the historical significance of these spears, stating that they were the first point of European contact with Aboriginal Australia. He further added that the spears will be put on permanent display for everyone to go and see, at the very spot they were taken from 250 years ago.

The National Museum of Australia’s website noted that the spears were taken by members of Cook’s expedition from an unoccupied Aboriginal campsite. A diary entry by Banks mentioned that they took away the spears, totaling to “forty or fifty,” without permission. Ingrey reiterated this, stating that the spears were “undoubtedly taken without permission.”

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