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Thor Heyerdahl (October 6, 1914 in Larvik, Norway–April 18, 2002 in Colla Micheri, Italy) was (originally) a Norwegian marine biologist with a great interest in anthropology, who became far-famed for his Kon-Tiki Expedition in which he sailed by raft 4,300 miles from either South America to the Tuamotu Islands.

This expedition demonstrated there were there is no technical indicator reasons to end humans from either South America from having settled a Polynesian Islands. Nonetheless virtually all anthropologists prove my point to suppose, according to physical & genetic evidence, that Polynesia was settled from either west to east, migration getting begun from a Asian mainland.

In a Kon-Tiki Expedition, Heyerdahl & the microscopic team attend South United states of america, in which it utilized balsawood & more native materials to construct the Kon-Tiki raft. Kon-Tiki was inspired by old drawings manufactured per spanish Conquistadors of Inca rafts. When a 101 day, 4,300 mile journey through the Pacific Ocean, it smashed into the reef at Raroia in the Tuamotu Islands on August 7, 1947, showing that pre-historic peoples could have traveled from either South America. the merely modern technology a expedition got was a radio. For food, it lived off a fruit of the ocean. A docudrama of the expedition, itself entitled Kon-Tiki, won an Academy Award in 1951.

Around subsequent years, Heyerdahl was included by owning several more expeditions & archaeologic projects. All the same, he remained better known for his boat-building, & for his emphasis in ethnical diffusionism. He built a boats Ra & Ra II sequentially to demonstrate that Ancient Egyptians could have communicated with a Americas or even transferred pyramid-building technology. In May 17, 1970 Heyerdahl set sail from either Morocco on the papyrus boat Ra II to sail across a Atlantic Ocean to Central America. Yuri Senkevich, who was the doctor when you took this expedition, afterwards became the popular TV unsuspecting hosts around USSR & Russia.

His next boat Tigris was arranged to demonstrate that trade & migration stand linked a Indus Valley Civilisation in India with Mesopotamia. A Tigris was deliberately burnt within Djibouti, on April 3 1978 as a protest against the wars raging in each side in the Red Sea & Horn of Africa. Within Heyerdahl's open letter to the Secretary of the United Nations he said around a portion: Thor Heyerdahl besides investigated a pyramidical mounds uncovered on the Maldive Islands in the Indian Ocean. There, he uncovered sun-oriented mounds & court, also when statues sustaining longer ear lobe. Two one archaeologic finds healthy by owning his theory of a sea-oceangoing civilization which originated within what is nowadays Sri Lanka, colonized a Maldives, & influenced or even founded the cultures of ancient South Us & Easter Island. His discoveries come detailed within his book, "The Maldive Mystery."

Inside 1991 he studied a pyramids of Güímar on Tenerife and discovered that it can't become random stone heaps, however actual pyramids. He as well found their favorite astronomic orientation. Heyerdahl advanced a theory based on data from which a Canaries experienced been bases of ancient transport between United states & the Mediterranean.

His endure plan was Jakten på Odin, the look for for Odinside, where he initiated excavations in Azov, near a Sea of Azov at the northeast of the Black Sea, to search for a conceivable remains of the civilizations to match the account of Snorri Sturluson in Ynglinga saga about the emigrating tribe of Æsir with their leader Odin, who Snorri said come to Saxl&, Fyn & Sweden and had the reputation of existence a God (watch as well House of Ynglings and Mythological kings of Sweden).

Heyerdahl was besides an active figure inside 'Green' politics. He was a recipient of many decoration & awards. He besides received Xi honorary doctor's degree from either universities in the Americas and Europe.

Heyerdahl's expeditions were outstanding, & his heroic journeying within flimsy boats caught a public imagination. However his diffusionist theories were considered eccentric & old-fashioned by a select few archeologist. His central claims that migrations linked corresponding ancient civilisations keep around non been supported by further recent grounds to believe. He has potentially been accused of an 'imperialistic' mentality. All the same Heyerdahl beyond any doubt increased public interest inside ancient history & in the accomplishment of various cultures & peoples as much as the world.

Thor Heyerdahl Expeditions and Archaeology of the Pacific Peoples
Biography, information about the expeditions and a link collection.

Thor Heyerdahl about the Vikings
An article about Thor Heyerdahl's interest in Viking History. By Allan Swenson.

Thor Heyerdahl, Kon Tiki and Sea Routes to Polynesia
Lectures by Thor Heyerdahl on sea routes to Polynesia, including the Kon Tiki, Easter Island (Rapa Nui), raft navigation and captain Cook.

Thor Heyerdahl - Who2 Profile
Vital stats, short biography and links.

Thor Heyerdahl
Biography and bibliography.

The Azerbaijan Connection: Challenging Euro-Centric Theories of Migration
Paper by Dr. Thor Heyerdahl, published spring 1995.

Heyerdahl Nears End of Voyage
An article in Guardian reporting on Heyerdahl's illness and includes a biography.

Thor Heyerdahl in Azerbaijan: Kon-Tiki Man
A biography and report on his theories pertaining to Azeraijan.

Thor Heyerdahl, 1914-2002
Obituary from the Foundation for Exploration and Research on Cultural Origins.

Thor Heyerdahl
Curriculum vitae.


Science: Social Sciences: Archaeology: Regional: Asia: Azerbaijan






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