1914-

Norwegian Explorer and Anthropologist

Thor Heyerdahl, nature lover and trained zoologist, made his greatest contribution to the field of anthropology, where he advanced highly debated theories on cultural diffusion—how ancient man migrated to and populated distant places. Heyerdahl often adopted facets of the lifestyle of the ancient people he was studying. He used only materials and techniques available to the ancients to construct sailing vessels, which Heyerdahl sailed on famous expeditions to help prove the possibility of transoceanic contact between ancient cultures and civilizations.

Heyerdahl was born in 1914 in Larvik, Norway. While spending time as a child in the local museum headed by his mother, Heyerdahl was intrigued by and studied natural plant and animal life. Gaining inspiration from his mother, Heyerdahl later studied zoology and geography at the University of Oslo.

In 1937 the newly married Heyerdahl ventured to Polynesia. There, after the Polynesian...