Correct spelling for the English word "Kon Tiki" is [kˈɒn tˈɪki], [kˈɒn tˈɪki], [k_ˈɒ_n t_ˈɪ_k_i] (IPA phonetic alphabet).
Kon-Tiki refers to a legendary wooden raft constructed and navigated by the Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl in 1947. The term Kon-Tiki primarily refers to the raft itself, along with the extraordinary transoceanic journey it undertook.
The Kon-Tiki raft was made of balsa wood, measuring around 40 feet in length and 18 feet in width. It was designed to replicate the ancient rafts used by pre-Columbian civilizations living in South America, particularly the Incas. The purpose behind Heyerdahl's Kon-Tiki expedition was to demonstrate the viability of these ancient vessels for long-distance ocean voyages, challenging prevailing theories of the time.
The Kon-Tiki expedition set sail from Peru in April 1947 with a six-man crew, including Heyerdahl himself. The raft embarked on a remarkable 4,300-mile journey across the Pacific Ocean, eventually reaching the small Polynesian island of Raroia in Tuamotu. The successful completion of this voyage proved Heyerdahl's theory that South American civilizations could have traversed the ocean and potentially settled Polynesia in prehistoric times.
The term Kon-Tiki has since become synonymous with adventure and daring exploration, reflecting the courage and perseverance demonstrated by Thor Heyerdahl and his crew. It signifies an audacious quest to challenge established beliefs and undertake extraordinary feats, often in the face of great adversity. The Kon-Tiki expedition stands as an enduring symbol of human curiosity, the spirit of discovery, and the limitless possibilities of human achievement.
The word Kon-Tiki is derived from the name of a famous raft named Kon-Tiki, which was used by Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl in 1947 for a scientific expedition. Heyerdahl and his crew embarked on a journey across the Pacific Ocean from South America to Polynesia, seeking to prove that ancient people could have made similar voyages.
The name Kon-Tiki itself is said to be derived from the legendary Inca sun god Viracocha, called Kon-Tiki in some local dialects. Heyerdahl believed that the Pacific Islands were originally populated by ancient South American civilizations, and he named his raft after the sun god to pay homage to this belief. The word has since become globally recognized due to the immense popularity and success of Heyerdahl's expedition and subsequent book, both titled Kon-Tiki.