Spears stolen by Captain Cook from Kamay/Botany Bay in 1770 to be returned to traditional owners

Four Aboriginal spears taken by Lieutenant James Cook in 1770 from Kamay/Botany Bay will be returned to traditional owners after more than a decade of negotiations. Photograph: Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology, University of Cambridge

Four spears stolen from Kamay, now known as Botany Bay in Sydney, by Captain James Cook, a then Lieutenant, and his crew, are to be returned to their traditional owners after more than 250 years.

The Kamay spears were among 40 recorded as being taken on to the HMB Endeavour in 1770, at the time of first contact between those aboard the ship and the local Gweagal people.