Photo: uncredited / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Thor Heyerdahl was listed as an explorer, anthropologist and archaeologist. Born on October 6, 1914, Thor Heyerdahl was from Larvik, Vestfold, Norway. Death is recorded on April 18, 2002, at the age of 87. Schooling on record includes University of Oslo. Listed accolades include Fridtjof Nansen Award for outstanding research, historical-philosophical class (1985), Empowering award (1994), Peer Gynt Literary Award (1999) and 5 more.
My Take
Thor Heyerdahl is, for me, the rare scholar who refused to let theories stay on paper. An Oslo-trained biologist who climbed aboard the Kon-Tiki raft to cross the Pacific himself, he embodied an idea I find irresistible: prove your hypothesis with your own body. The shelf of honors, from the Order of St. Olav to the Vega Medal, almost misses the point. What I admire is the audacity, the willingness to risk everything to test a claim about how humans once moved across oceans. Even where later research disputes him, that experimental daring reshaped how we imagine the ancient world.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Thor Heyerdahl
- Name (Japanese)
- トール・ヘイエルダール
- Reading
- とーる・へいえるだーる
- Born
- October 6, 1914 – April 18, 2002
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Libra / Tiger
- Origin
- Larvik, Vestfold, Norway
- Occupation
- explorer / anthropologist / archaeologist / historian / screenwriter
2. Background
- University
- University of Oslo
Awards & achievements
- 1985 Fridtjof Nansen Award for outstanding research, historical-philosophical class
- 1994 Empowering award
- 1999 Peer Gynt Literary Award
- 1971 Grand Officer of the Order of Wissam El Alaoui
- 1987 Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav
- 1965 Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- Order of the Golden Ark
- 1962 Vega Medal
3. Links
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-19
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Thor Heyerdahl born?
Born October 6, 1914.
When did Thor Heyerdahl die?
Died April 18, 2002, aged 87.
Where was Thor Heyerdahl from?
Thor Heyerdahl was from Larvik, Vestfold, Norway.
What did Thor Heyerdahl do?
Thor Heyerdahl worked as explorer, anthropologist, archaeologist, historian, screenwriter.
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