In 1947, Norwegian adventurer Thor Heyerdahl launched the Kon-Tiki expedition to prove his theory that ancient South Americans could have settled Polynesia. He and five companions built a raft from balsa logs using only pre-industrial techniques and set sail from Peru. After 101 days at sea, having traveled approximately 4,300 miles, they successfully reached the Raroia atoll. The voyage became a global sensation and was documented in a book and an Oscar-winning film. Despite the journey's succe