The Kon-Tiki Museum returns remains to Easter Island – news Culture and entertainment

In nine black boxes are 15 old skulls. In two larger boxes are bones. Now the remains will travel to where they came from: Easter Island. They were brought to Norway in 1956 by the adventurer Thor Heyerdahl, who wanted to research them – with the proviso that they should be returned. Thor Heyerdahl was on Easter Island several times. Photo: Kon-Tiki Museum Both remains and objects went home. Photo: Kon-Tiki Museum – They were not meant to stay here, says Liv Heyerdahl. She is the director of the Kon-Tiki Museum and Thor Heyerdahl’s granddaughter. Now she has officially handed them over to representatives from Easter Island. The contract has been signed. From left: Nélida Pozo, Liv Heyerdahl and Tarita Rapu Alarcón. Photo: Astrid Johanne Sørnes / news – Now is the time Several decades have passed since Thor Heyerdahl took the remains from Easter Island. Why are they being returned only now? – Now is the time to do it. We could have done it earlier, but now we are getting it done. Because it has been a rather slow process, says Liv Heyerdahl. Tarita Rapu Alarcón from the Easter Island delegation explains that the people of the island have despaired for a long time, but are ready to get their ancestors back. – These are promises that were made over fifty years ago. Time has passed, but we look at the positive. Now Norway has kept its promise, she says. Tarita Rapu Alarcón is spokesperson for Koro Carlos Edmunds Paoa and the rest of the Easter Island delegation. Photo: Astrid Johanne Sørnes / news Visited the Castle On Tuesday, the black boxes with remains were officially handed over in a ceremony at the Kon-Tiki Museum. The Easter Island delegation also visited the Castle, where they had an audience with the King and Queen. The representatives from Easter Island visited the Castle on Tuesday. Photo: Lise Aaserud / Lise Aaserud / NTB – Now there will be balance, says Alarcón. She aims for the ancestors to come home. On Easter Island, the dead are a larger part of life. Therefore remains are important. Liv Heyerdahl believes that it was not her grandfather’s fault to take them with him. – The remains were taken to Norway with permission, and with the condition that they will be returned. And they will now, she says. – What do you think Thor Heyerdahl would have thought of this? – He would have been very pleased. Planning yet another return At the same time as the remains are handed over, the next step is being planned. – We have several thousand objects to be reviewed with a view to whether they should be sent back. It is also a demanding process, says Heyerdahl. Artifacts from the Kon Tiki Museum must also be returned. Photo: Astrid Johanne Sørnes / news The next handover will most likely take place in over a year’s time. Photo: Astrid Johanne Sørnes / news On Tuesday, the Easter Island delegation got to see many of the objects that Heyerdahl brought from Easter Island. – In principle, everything is negotiable, says Mads Ravn. He is an archaeologist, and heads the repatriation group for artefacts. – Thor Heyerdahl’s agreement was that it was on loan. Then there are other things he has bought or received as a gift. Then of course we will discuss whether there are items that are important to return, says Ravn. Tools from Easter Island in the Kon-Tiki Museum’s collection. Photo: Astrid Johanne Sørnes / news Published 13.11.2024, at 06.03



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