Famous person-Thor Heyerdahl Explorer

Thor Heyerdahl Explorer

Thor Heyerdahl was born in 1914, in Larvik, Norway. At the age of 23, he took his bride, Liv, to the Polynesian island of Tahiti. While there, they were adopted by Chief Teriieroo. Scientific theory of the day suggested that the original settlers of Polynesia arrived by boat from Southeast Asia. Since the prevailing ocean currents flow from West to East in the area, Heyerdahl postulated that the first inhabitants actually came from the western hemisphere.
World War II forced Heyerdahl to return to Norway where he served in a Norwegian parachute unit.

In 1947 Heyerdahl decided to build a balsa raft named the "Kon-Tiki". With a team of 5 companions, Heyerdahl sailed the raft from Callio, Peru to Rarora stoll, Tuamotu Archipelago in Polynesia. The trip covered 8,000 km (4300 miles) and took 101 days to complete. The success of the expedition proved that ancient Peruvians could have reached Polynesia in this manner.

In subsequent years, Heyerdahl led expeditions to Peru, Easter Island, and the Pyramids of Guimar in the Canary Islands. His research transformed theories of the origins of aboriginal peoples and their migrations.

He received numerous medals, honors, and awards. He was a member of the International Congress on the Americanists, the Pacific Science Congress, and the International Congress of Anthropology and Ethnology.

He died in his sleep on April 18, 2002. He was remembered as one of history's great explorers and one of Norway's most famous sons.