Aboriginal Spears Taken by Captain Cook in 1770 Returned to Indigenous Australians

In a historic ceremony held at Trinity College Cambridge on April 23, 2024, four Aboriginal spears that were taken to England by Captain James Cook more than 250 years ago were permanently repatriated to Australia's Indigenous community.

The spears, which were part of a collection of around 40 taken by Cook and botanist Joseph Banks during their first contact with the Indigenous people of Kamay (Botany Bay) in 1770, are considered exceptionally significant as they were the first artifacts collected by the British from any part of Australia that remain.

The spears were presented to Trinity College in 1771 and have been held at the university's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA) since the early 20th century. Trinity College and the MAA agreed in March 2023 to return the spears to the La Perouse Aboriginal Community, which includes direct descendants of the Gweagal people who crafted them, following discussions between the MAA and the community. "The handover ceremony was attended by descendants of the indigenous Australians present during Cook's landing, as well as Australian officials," according to the summaries.

The repatriation process was initiated in 2017 and was supported by the Australian Government's Return of Cultural Heritage Program and the National Museum of Australia. It is seen as an important step in righting the wrongs of history and continuing the cultural practices and stories of the Gweagal people. The spears reflect the beginnings of a history of misunderstanding and conflict between the British and Aboriginal Australians.

Why this matters: The return of these artifacts, taken without permission during the colonial era, represents a significant moment in the relationship between collecting institutions in the UK and indigenous communities. It is part of a broader trend of universities and cultural institutions repatriating stolen or looted artistic and cultural artifacts to their rightful owners.

The spears will be temporarily housed at the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney before becoming part of a new visitor center display at Kurnell, a national park on the Botany Bay foreshore where the first encounter between Cook's crew and the Indigenous people took place 254 years ago. "The spears will help balance the historical narrative and strengthen the relationships between Cambridge and Indigenous Australia," said a representative of the La Perouse Aboriginal Community, who had been campaigning for the return of the spears for over 30 years.

Key Takeaways

• 4 Aboriginal spears taken by Captain Cook in 1770 were repatriated to Australia in 2024.
• Spears were held at Trinity College Cambridge since 1771, now returned to La Perouse community.
• The repatriation process was initiated in 2017, supported by Australian government and the National Museum.
• The return of artifacts represents a significant moment in UK-indigenous relations and cultural repatriation.
• Spears will be displayed at a new visitor center at Kurnell, where first contact occurred.