Stories and Storytellers discussion

I am too young to have been exposed to Heyerdahl when his adventures and archaeological work were cutting edge and that may be my main problem with him - that I have only seen his books when the information was outdated and known to be wrong.

But still so cool. Whether sailing on a log raft or boat made of reeds or exploring exotic islands, his adventures are great fun - and true.

In Aku-aku, Heyerdahl investigates several mysteries about Easter Island. How did people get there - his conclusions appear to be completely wrong; how they moved the statues - he looked at several possibilities including the currently accepted model; and how they damaged their environment - it appears they didn't but did learn how to live in a marginal environment.

There is a lot to like in his books even if his theories are based on the archaeological equivalent of phlogiston.

Thanks Brian. Do you think Heyerdahl's conclusions are based on his own experiences, academic background, something else entirely ?

I know that he found a species of reed on the island that appeared to be the same as found in South America and also in Egypt. Later testing found the reeds -used for building boats in all three locations - were not the same or even similar species so that part of his research made sense at the time though not now.
It is his experiences that make him so interesting. To see if one could sail from South America on a primitive raft, he famously did it, using suggestions from local craftsmen. I love that they told him not to use nails or screws but rope. As the raft twisted and heaved, the ropes wore away but also ate into the wood. The ropes were tightened throughout the trip in a way that nails -tearing holes in the wood- could not be.

Excellent, thanks Brian