Thor Heyerdahl

WHS playing a role in the theories and works of Thor Heyerdahl, Norwegian adventurer and ethnographer (1914-2002). The "Thor Heyerdahl Archives" were added to UNESCO's "Memory of the World" Register in 2011.

Individual People

Connected Sites

Site Rationale Link
Chankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex The towers had been known to travelers for centuries, the astronomical function of the towers was speculated famously by Thor Heyerdahl in his book Kon-Tiki of the 1940s (Wiki)
Galapagos Islands Following the success of the Kon-Tiki Expedition, Heyerdahl organized and led the Norwegian Archaeological Expedition to the Galapagos Islands. The group investigated the pre-Columbian habitation sites, locating an Inca flute and shards from more than 130 pieces of ceramics which were later identified as pre-Incan. (1952)
Gobustan Rock Art Linking Gobustan's Boat Petroglyphs with the spread of Azeri civiliation to northern Europe
Rapa Nui Organized an expedition there in 1955-1956, researching new theories for the island's history and its moai

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