Thor Heyerdahl Biography

Thor Heyerdahl was a Norwegian explorer, adventurer, and ethnologist. He orchestrated many transoceanic expeditions in primitive boat replicas and contributed several substantial theories to the geographic and scientific communities. He documented his many travels in multiple books and documentaries, and has given important lectures worldwide on the basis of migratory patterns of early civilizations. Always having been interested in zoology, he spent many years of his childhood exploring the wilderness of his family’s summer log cabin. Following in his mother’s footsteps, he went on to pursue a degree in zoology, as well as geography, before turning to ethnology. His constant travels impacted his personal life deeply,leading to several unsuccessful relationships.He fathered five children over his lifetime. Heyerdahl’s studies have influenced several institutes, museums, and have been the basis of many other published works regarding his theories. One of his own grandchildren went on to replicate one of his earliest transoceanic expeditions. His work inspired multiple scientific studies, into the migration patterns of the South American people, by several independent scientists over the last 100 years. He has been bestowed over twenty-one scientific honors and awards, as well as earning over eight National Decorations from a handful of countries.