In the history of paleontology, there has been a colonial attitude by paleontologists from richer, more developed nations regarding fossil treasures found elsewhere. As the fictional Indiana Jones said, “It belongs in a museum!” But which museum, exactly? Usually a museum in New York, Berlin, London or other spots far removed from where the fossil was found and excavated.
In recent years, developing countries have been objecting and have been requesting the return of major fossils found over the past couple centuries. Countries such as Brazil and Mexico have been prominent in recent news, as well as Mongolia and elsewhere. Now Indonesia has joined the list.