When I was a boy, I thrilled to the adventures of Thor Heyerdahl in books such as Kon-Tiki: Across the Pacific in a Raft
and The RA Expeditions
. I remember wanting to lead a life of adventure like Heyerdahl, was very disappointed when some other anthropologists debunked his theories.
Now, though, it turns out that he might have been partially right. A recent study of chicken bones suggests that Polynesians reached South America between 1321 and 1407.
Its fascinating stuff for anyone interested in history. But there’s a wargaming angle in this, of course. How about a skirmish game between Polynesians and Incas?