Let the 'Java Man' come home, says Indonesia to Dutch museum

Indonesia has asked the Netherlands to return eight pieces of art and natural science collections, including the Dubois collection. Photo: AFP

Indonesia has asked the Netherlands to hand back at least eight art pieces and natural history collections that were acquired during the colonial era, including the remains of a landmark hominid known as "Java Man."

Identified as the first-ever example discovered of a Homo erectus, a forerunner of anatomically modern humans, "Java Man" is the centrepiece of an important collection at the Naturalis museum in Leiden.