Thor Heyerdahl monument
Thor Heyerdahl (1914-2002) was an archaeologist, author and adventurer, and Larvik's most famous person.
He undertook three major expeditions: the Kon-Tiki Expedition, the Ra Expeditions and the Tiger Expedition.
The Kon-Tiki Expedition (1947) - Thor Heyerdahl attempted to prove his theory that Polynesia could be populated from South America and not Asia. He pointed to plant life, the winds and ocean currents as good arguments, and believed local oral tradition suggested the same.
The Ra Expeditions (1969 and 1970) - Heyerdahl tried to link the South American Indians with the ancient civilizations of Africa and the Middle East.
The Tigris Expedition (1977) - Heyerdahl wanted to test his theories about contacts across the ocean between prehistoric civilizations. The aim of the journey around the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean was to show that Mesopotamia and Egypt could have had trade links across the sea several thousand years ago.
Thor Heyerdahl was appointed honorary citizen of Larvik city in 1971, and for his 75th birthday in 1989, a monument made of Larvikite was erected.
The monument stands on Tollerodden.
Source: Visit Vestfold
Thor Heyerdahl monument