The Head-hunters of the North and the Polynesian Shadow: Thor Heyerdahl’s skull-collecting act on Fatu Hiva, Marquesas Islands, 1937

Thor Heyerdahl’s skull-collecting expedition on Fatu Hiva, Marquesas Islands, in 1937 was framed as a heroic act of preservation and protection, reflecting the strong societal acceptance and scientific credibility accorded to craniology at the time. This study reveals how unauthorized collecting of human remains was often romanticized in travelogues, serving as both literary suspense and a testament to the collector’s bravery. The research contextualizes Heyerdahl’s actions within the prevailing conservative worldview, where skull-collecting was seen as a legitimate scientific pursuit. By analyzing historical narratives and craniology’s perceived reliability, the study sheds light on the ethical and social norms of the era, challenging modern perspectives on such practices.

Melander, V. (2017). The Head-hunters of the North and the Polynesian Shadow: Thor Heyerdahl’s skull-collecting act on Fatu Hiva, Marquesas Islands, 1937. Journal of Pacific Archaeology, 8(1), 77–87. https://doi.org/10.70460/jpa.v8i1.215