The Aryan Polynesian Hypothesis

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Aug 7, 2025

Dive into the audacious 1947 Kon-Tiki expedition, where Thor Heyerdahl's quest to prove ancient Peruvians colonized Polynesia led to thrilling oceanic challenges. From storms to sharks, the five-man crew faced it all on a 45-foot balsa wood raft. Explore why Heyerdahl's now-rejected theory sparked controversy around Eurocentric views on navigation and ancient migration tales. With an eye on daring design and unexpected food rations, this maritime adventure merges history and modernity in a captivating narrative.

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ANECDOTE

Kon-Tiki's Risky Journey

Thor Heyerdahl and his crew sailed a balsa wood raft from Peru to Polynesia in 1947.
They couldn't steer the raft and had to crash it into a reef to stop, completing a 101-day journey.

INSIGHT

Heyerdahl's Controversial Theory

Heyerdahl proposed Polynesians came from South America, contradicting Southeast Asian origin evidence.
His hypothesis promoted Eurocentric hyperdiffusionism and racial superiority ideas now discredited.

ANECDOTE

Incan Myths Inspired Kon-Tiki

Inca legends spoke of pale-skinned gods who built monuments and left via rafts led by Viracocha.
Heyerdahl named his expedition Kon-Tiki after this god, linking the myth to his theory.

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The Kon-Tiki expedition, led by Norwegian explorer and ethnologist Thor Heyerdahl, reached Raroia in the Tuamotu Archipelag near Tahiti, on 7th August, 1947. The 45-foot-long balsa wood raft, with a five-man crew, had completed a 4,300-mile, 101-day journey from Peru.

Heyerdahl wanted to prove his (now discredited) theory that prehistoric South Americans could have colonized the Polynesian islands by drifting on ocean currents. The Kon-Tiki was made of indigenous materials and designed to resemble rafts of early South American Indians, although the expedition carried some modern equipment, such as a radio, watches, charts, sextant, and metal knives. While crossing the Pacific, the sailors encountered storms, sharks and whales.

In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain why Heyerdahl’s hypothesis of a South American origin of the Polynesian peoples is rejected today; marvel at his bold use of eye-catching graphic design; and expose how the crew’s food rations weren’t all that they seemed…