Spears taken by Captain Cook at Botany Bay returned to traditional owners after more than 250 years

Three-decade campaign by the Gweagal community of La Perouse sees repatriation of four spears to Kamay

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

Forty Kamay spears were recorded as being taken by the British in 1770, at the time of first contact between the local Gweagal people and the crew of the Endeavour. The four spears returned on Tuesday are the only ones of the original 40 that remain.