Thor Heyerdahl Biography
Occup. | Explorer |
From | Norway |
Spouse | Liv Coucheron-Torp |
Born | October 6, 1914 Larvik, Norway |
Died | April 18, 2002 Colla Micheri, Italy |
Cause | Heart failure |
Aged | 87 years |
Thor Heyerdahl was a Norwegian adventurer, ethnologist, as well as author that was born in Larvik, Norway, on October 6, 1914, and also passed away in Colla Micheri, Italy, on April 18, 2002. He is best known for his daring ocean expeditions, which he took on to prove his theories regarding the migration patterns of old civilizations. Utilizing primitive vessels, Heyerdahl set out to show that primitive individuals could have passed through large ocean distances, therefore establishing contact and also spreading their societies.
In 1936, Heyerdahl and also his first partner, Liv Coucheron-Torp, relocated to the Marquesas Islands to examine the native flora as well as animals. This experience triggered Heyerdahl to hypothesize that Polynesians originated from South America rather than Asia, as was generally thought. To show this theory, he and a little crew sailed a balsa wood raft from Peru to the Polynesian islands in 1947. The boating, named Kon-Tiki, was integrated in a traditional pre-Inca style, and the trip took 101 days, covering around 4,300 miles. Heyerdahl detailed the exploration in the successful publication "The Kon-Tiki Expedition: By Boating Across the South Seas" (1948) as well as a documentary, which won an Academy Award in 1951.
Heyerdahl's following expedition took place in 1969, with the goal of establishing that Egyptians might have gone across the Atlantic Sea and also reached Central America before Columbus. He constructed a papyrus reed watercraft called Ra, based on old Egyptian layouts. The Ra exploration was not successful because of the watercraft's building, yet Heyerdahl attempted again in 1970 with the Ra II, constructed by the Aymara individuals of Bolivia. This moment, the journey from North Africa to Barbados achieved success, taking 57 days and covering around 3,700 miles. He later recorded the experiences in "The Ra Expeditions" (1971).
Heyerdahl's 3rd major exploration was the Tigris journey in 1977-78. He intended to show that the ancient Sumerians could have traveled and also patronized the Indus Valley world in Pakistan. Making use of a reed watercraft similar to those illustrated on ancient Mesopotamian artwork, the Tigris expedition efficiently navigated from Iraq to Pakistan, after that to the Red Sea and also the Horn of Africa. However, due to political agitation in the area, Heyerdahl was required to shed the Tigris in Djibouti to oppose war.
Along with his sea explorations, Heyerdahl also conducted considerable archaeological research. Notably, he excavated the mystical Pyramids of Güímar on the Canary Islands, sustaining his concept of old global contact. Through his work, Heyerdahl accentuated the potential for very early human oceanic traveling as well as recognized beneficial links amongst old human beings.
Throughout his life, Thor Heyerdahl received many honors and was commonly recognized for his success. Regardless of criticisms and obstacles, he remained to push the borders of understanding as well as inspire generations with his spirit of interest and exploration. He died at the age of 87, leaving behind an enduring tradition of research as well as adventure.
Our collection contains 22 quotes who is written / told by Thor.
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