Norwegian Museum Returns Artifacts to Rapa Nui

Norway's Kon-Tiki Museum has returned human remains and artifacts to Easter Island, taken during Thor Heyerdahl's 1947 expedition. The items include human remains, known as Ivi Tepuna, and sculpted stones, which are part of a broader effort to repatriate over 5,600 objects collected by Heyerdahl. The return marks the third occasion that items from this collection are being returned, following returns in 1986 and 2006. A ceremonial delegation from Easter Island participated in the return, with four members spending the night at the museum to honor the spirits of the remains. Liv Heyerdahl, the explorer's granddaughter, emphasized the importance of returning cultural items to their rightful owners. The repatriation aligns with a 2019 agreement between Norway and Chile, which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.