Where is the original reed boat, why was it made and when was it built?

Question

Where is the original reed boat, why was it made and when was it built?

Answer 1

I think you are asking about Thor Heyerdahl's voyage with the Kon-Tiki.

Heyerdahl an anthropologist, theorized that Polynesia was settled by the ancient Inca. To prove his theory he constructed a large reed raft in Peru and sailed to the Cook Island of Puka Puka.

My parents were at the launching and departure of the Kon-Tiki. So it was a big conversation starter around our dinner table.

As to where it ended up I would guess it would still be Puka Puka if anything is left. We're talking almost 60 years ago.

You might be interested in Thor's book, aptly named "Kon-Tiki", it would be available from Amazon.com. He wrote an other book about Easter Island that was really interesting as well.

Answer 2

The original reed boat would have crumbled years ago.  This is an interesting video of men fishing from reed boats in Peru. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEQNcep_E...

Althought Reed boats were built in many parts of the world they were best known in Egypt Pre-Columbian cultures of South America.  Their similarities cause many to velieve there may have been a cultural link.

  

Here are a few sites providing some history and current projects of duplicating and sailing them.

http://www.archaeology.org/interactive/t...

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/e...

http://gosouthamerica.about.com/od/topde...

Answer 3

Hawaii. At least it appears so. I don't know for a fact. Interesting question!