Thor Heyerdahl, a Norwegian explorer, initiated an audacious expedition with five crew members aboard the Kon-Tiki, a balsa wood raft, departing from Callao, Peru. Their aim was to prove that the early inhabitants of South America could have crossed the Pacific Ocean and settled in Polynesia thousands of years ago. This theory challenged the prevailing view that Polynesian ancestors solely came from Asia, suggesting that contact with South America could have influenced the cultural development of the Pacific Islands. By using ancient construction techniques based on Peruvian examples, Heyerdahl sought not only to validate his theories but also to rekindle interest in historical navigation methods.

The raft, named Kon-Tiki after an Inca sun god, was constructed from readily available materials and equipped minimally, which highlighted the simplicity and ingenuity of ancient maritime practices. The crew faced numerous challenges, ranging from unpredictable weather conditions and potential equipment failures to navigating vast stretches of ocean. Spanning more than 4,300 miles, the journey took nearly three months. Despite adversity, the crew fostered a sense of camaraderie and resilience, relying on their collective skills and determination. Upon reaching Raroia, a small reef in the Tuamotu Archipelago, they achieved their goal, capturing the imagination of the world.