Thor Heyerdahl was a Norwegian adventurer and ethnographer with a background in biology, specializing in zoology, botany, and geography. He became known for his experimental expeditions designed to test theories about how ancient peoples might have traveled across oceans and migrated between distant regions. Heyerdahl lived from 1914 to 2002, dedicating much of his life to hands-on exploration and scientific inquiry. His work combined elements of adventure, archaeology, and anthropology as he sought to demonstrate the feasibility of long-distance ocean voyages using ancient methods and materials.