Four Aboriginal spears taken by explorer Captain James Cook when “discovering” Australia in 1770 are to be returned to the local inhabitants.
The wooden spears are the last left from dozens collected by the first colonialists.
They have been kept at the University of Cambridge for more than 100 years.
Now, Trinity College has agreed to return the weapons following a 20-year-campaign by the indigenous tribe.
When Captain Cook and his party beached in Botany Bay, south Sydney, they were challenged by two men from the Gweagal clan of the Dharawal – the traditional owners of the land.
Ray Ingrey, chairman of the community’s Gujaga Foundation, said the Gweagal people had a deep, spiritual connection with the wooden, multiple-tipped spears.
He added:
“It’s part of a dreaming story that tells us how our people came to be.
“So, not only that they’re over 253 years old, and gives us a window into our historic past, but also toward that spiritual connection, which makes it so more important.
“The spears were taken when indigenous people retreated into the bush after a violent encounter with the British landing party in which muskets were fired.
“The crew started to go through their campsite, picking up artefacts and anything that they could actually get their hands on… 40 to 50 spears were bundled up and put on Endeavour [Cook’s ship].”
Prof Nicholas Thomas, at the University of Cambridge, said the spears were “exceptionally significant”.
“They are the first artefacts collected by any European from any part of Australia … they reflect the beginnings of a history of misunderstanding and conflict.”
