ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Kon-Tiki expedition

Okay kiddo, let me explain the Kon-Tiki Expedition to you. It was a long time ago when a man named Thor Heyerdahl had a crazy idea. He wanted to prove that people from South America could have sailed to Polynesia using just a wooden raft.

To show that it was possible, Heyerdahl gathered a team of five men and together they built a raft called Kon-Tiki. The raft was made entirely out of wood and had no modern technology like engines or GPS. They wanted to show that ancient people could have used the same materials and techniques to travel long distances.

The team set out on the Kon-Tiki Expedition, sailing from Peru to Polynesia which was about 5,000 miles or 8,000 kilometers away. They faced many challenges during their journey, from rough weather to sharks in the water. They also had to catch fish and find fresh water to drink.

But the team kept going and after 101 days at sea, the Kon-Tiki raft finally reached its destination in Polynesia. They proved that Heyerdahl's theory was possible and that ancient people could have sailed across the ocean in the same way.

The Kon-Tiki Expedition was a big deal because it showed people that important things can be achieved with teamwork, determination, and sometimes taking risks. It also helped spark interest in learning about different cultures and history around the world.