THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The Dutch government has formally agreed to return over 28,000 fossils to Indonesia from the famed Dubois Collection, as a result of a ruling by a commission that identified the removal of these specimens as occurring against the will of the local communities during the colonial era. The announcement was made by the education ministry on Friday.
The Dubois Collection is historically significant and includes a piece of skull discovered from the Solo River on the island of Java, known as the first fossil evidence of Homo erectus, a key ancestor of modern humans, or Homo sapiens. Often referred to as “Java Man,” these fossils play a crucial role in understanding human evolution.
This decision represents the latest in a series of restitution actions by the Dutch government, aimed at returning art and artifacts that were taken by force from various countries during colonial rule. The fossils were excavated in the late 19th century by Dutch anatomist and geologist Eugène Dubois, during a time when Indonesia was a colony of the Netherlands.
The Dutch Colonial Collections Committee conducted extensive research and concluded that "the circumstances under which the fossils were obtained means it is likely they were removed against the will of the people, resulting in an act of injustice against them." This acknowledgment reflects the deeply rooted spiritual and economic significance these fossils held for local communities, many of whom were coerced into disclosing fossil sites.
On Friday, Dutch Minister of Education, Culture, and Science Gouke Moes finalized the agreement with Indonesian Minister Fadli Zon at the Naturalis museum in Leiden, where the fossils are currently housed. Moes emphasized the thoroughness of the committee's research and assured that similar diligence would be applied in ensuring a smooth transfer of the fossils. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts between the Netherlands and Indonesia to maintain the collection as a vital source for scientific research.
Homo erectus emerged in Africa approximately 2 million years ago and extended its presence across Asia and possibly into Europe. This species arrived on Java around 1.5 million years ago, with dating methods indicating its extinction occurred at least 35,000 years prior to the emergence of Homo sapiens.
The restitution of such artifacts has become a growing movement among Western nations as they confront historical injustices associated with colonialism. For example, earlier this month, Madagascar received three skulls belonging to Indigenous warriors from France, among which was one thought to belong to a king killed by French troops 128 years ago. This marked the first implementation of a 2023 French law that regulates the return of human remains to former colonies.
In addition, a museum in Berlin has announced its intention to return hundreds of human skulls from the former German colony of East Africa. Similarly, France has pledged to return various items, including statues and sacred altars taken from the West African nation of Benin. Belgium has also returned a gold-capped tooth belonging to Patrice Lumumba, the slain Congolese independence hero.
