Unique Repatriation Project
Last year, the Kon-Tiki Museum had the honor of taking part in a deeply moving and significant repatriation project that brought ancestral human remains (Ivi Tupuna) back to their original home on Rapa Nui (Easter Island). This historic event stands as a powerful symbol of respect, cultural heritage, and international cooperation across continents.
In 1956, Thor Heyerdahl brought the remains to Norway for research purposes. After decades of scientific study, it was finally decided that the time had come to return them to their rightful homeland. The repatriation process was lengthy, and last year’s collaboration—between delegations from Chile and Rapa Nui, alongside the Kon-Tiki Museum—marked the final and crucial phase of this journey.
A 17-minute documentary follows museum director Liv Heyerdahl as she welcomes the delegation in Oslo, oversees the transfer of the ancestral remains, and accompanies them on the long journey back to Chile—and ultimately to their final destination on Rapa Nui.
This project is not only a powerful reflection on cultural history but also a meaningful example of how dialogue, respect, and recognition of indigenous communities can lead to healing and historically significant acts for generations to come.
As an institution dedicated to exploration and cultural preservation, the Kon-Tiki Museum is proud to have played a role in this important repatriation, returning a vital part of Rapa Nui’s heritage to the people it belongs to.
Watch the documentary and experience this historic journey—a testament to the enduring importance of honoring culture and human history.