A collection of almost 2000 Indigenous artefacts is back on Australian shores, and will be returned to their communities where their provenance can be identified. The collection, which includes ancient stone tools and ceremonial items, was given to The Israel Museum in Jerusalem in the 1970s.
Their return is part of the Return of Cultural Heritage program, and is led by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) in Canberra.
Its chief executive Craig Ritchie spoke to Drive about the significance of this collection, the joy of working with a museum which was also delighted by the return of these items, and what will happen to them next.
Listen to On Drive with Anna Vidot.