The spears, which are estimated to be over 250 years old, were taken by Cook and his crew during their encounter with the Guugu Yimithirr people at Botany Bay in 1770. The spears were among a number of items that were collected by Cook and his crew during their voyage, and have since been held in the collection of the British Museum.
The repatriation of the spears follows a request from the Guugu Yimithirr people, who have been campaigning for the return of the spears for many years. The British Museum agreed to return the spears in 2019, and the handover ceremony took place on Tuesday.
The repatriation of the spears is a significant step in the reconciliation process between the Guugu Yimithirr people and the British government. It is also a recognition of the importance of cultural heritage to Indigenous Australians.
