Experts today revealed that an arrow held by an Australian museum was not made from Captain Cook's leg bone as previously thought - and probably is not even human.
DNA testing has shot down theories the arrow was made out of bone from the explorer's leg. The Sydney-based Australian Museum announced the findings of DNA tests on the arrow's shaft today, the 234th anniversary of the day Cook stepped ashore in what is now southern Sydney.
It is now believed the bone-like material, which is about six inches long and is attached to a metal arrow head, could be antler or a bone from a sea mammal.
Testing on the arrow at universities in Australia and New Zealand showed no presence of human DNA. A forensic archaeologist also determined the material was unlikely to be human bone.
The museum's Pacific collections manager Dr Jude Philp said the findings do not detract from the mystery surrounding the artefact.
But she said: "While it would be wonderful to conclusively be able to say that the 'bone' is from Captain Cook, the chances of this are highly unlikely."
The intrigue began in 1824 when the arrow was allegedly given to a London doctor.
