Netherlands to return treasures to Indonesia and Sri Lanka

The Netherlands is set to hand back hundreds of precious artefacts taken from Indonesia and Sri Lanka during its colonial period. Objects to be returned include a gem-encrusted bronze cannon and a looted cache of jewels from the "Lombok treasure". A report had urged the government to return items if countries request them. The agreed restitution comes as the Netherlands increasingly confronts its colonial past. Other countries have also began returning precious looted artefacts in recent years . Notable examples include British and German museums signing over some of the so-called Benin Bronzes stolen from Nigeria during a large-scale 1897 British military expedition.

tips

colonial：殖民的（colony 殖民地）

gem：宝石；珍贵之物

encrust：镶嵌外层（crust 外壳）

bronze：青铜；青铜色的

cannon：大炮

loot：洗劫；抢夺

jewel：宝石；珍贵物

restitution：归还；赔偿

confront：面对（一起当面）

precious：珍贵的

appreciate：欣赏；重视

military：军队；军事的（milit- = soldier，兵）

expedition：远征；探险队