Post #295640 by Sneakytiki on Fri, Mar 30, 2007 3:44 AM

Thor Heyerdahl proved that man could travel over vast distances in short amounts of time but his theories which were pseudo-science have been almost completely disproved. If anyone were to discover anyone else it would be more likely that the sailing Poly's would discover the land hugging Amerinds. The boat Thor used was not accurate to pre-Columbian models and was heavily influenced by later Spanish influenced Mestizo designs. Much of the Easter island evidence was faked. Thor's detractors say "planted" by Thor, his supporters can only say he was duped. His methodology, if u can call it that, was similar to the scientific methodology of "cult" archeology groups, start with a foregone theory you've already made your mind up to be true, then grasp at any straw to "prove it" while ignoring the vast amounts of anthropologic, genetic, linguistic and carbon dating evidence that says otherwise. I admire the man for his jumpstarting the diffusionist theories of human travel capability and his courage etc.. But his theories make for fun fantasy reading and not much else, similar to theories of Atlantis or Lemuria that make no sense when one understands plate tectonics, continental versus oceanic crust etc..

There may well have been a few Indians in Polynesia but if so they left a very small footprint genetically, linguistically or culturally, and they certainly were not the progenitors of the Polynesians who are of Austronesian stock with a small amount of Melanesian admixture picked up along the migratory routes.

The Easter Island pix and info. are fascinating, thx for posting them.

To drown sorrow, where should one jump first and best? "Certainly not water. Water rusts you." -Frank Sinatra

[ Edited by: Sneakytiki 2007-04-04 02:35 ]