Repatriation from the Kon-Tiki Museum to Rapa Nui

Thor Heyerdahl brought around 5 600 objects to Norway, including human remains and archaeological artefacts. He became fascinated with the archaeological mysteries of Rapa Nui at the age of twelve. During the 1950’s he embarked on a unique in size expedition to the island to investigate all aspects of prehistoric culture. As part of this, many of the objects have been stored and displayed at The Kon-Tiki Museum, and some of the artefacts have been returned to Rapa Nui in 1986 and 2006.

With the support of the Rapanui community and Chilean officials, a project of returning objects from The Kon-Tiki Museum to Rapa Nui was developed. In 2019 a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in Santiago, Chile during a state visit by His Majesty King Harald VII of Norway, providing the legal foundation for the project. The Covid-19 stopped all activities in 2020, but the progress continued in 2022.

According to the MOU and implementation decided by a Steering Committee, parts of The Kon-Tiki Museum’s Rapa Nui collection will be returned to Rapa Nui, which will make sure that the Rapanui holds the legal ownership to their cultural objects.

On November 11.-13th 2024 a delegation from Chile/Rapa Nui will come to Oslo. The main aim is to return human remains from The Kon-Tiki Museum to The Rapa Nui Community. During their stay there will be an official handover ceremony, audience with the his Majesty The King and her majesty the Queen at the Royal Palace, introduction and look in archives and collections of artefacts from Rapa Nui in The Museum and meeting with both Norwegian an International Press.

Representatives from The Kon-Tiki Museum will return to Rapa Nui with the delegation and participate in ceremonies according to the Rapa Nui culture.

An expert group representing all parts involved, is working together to examine the collection of artefacts and suggest the process of the further repatriation. The steering Committee will be the decision-making body in close cooperation with the authorities on both sides. When an agreement is signed the process of returning home artefacts will start and the items will become a part of the MAPSE Rapa Nui Museum.

The processes will be carried out in an ethical and responsible manner, respecting the culture and traditions of the Rapa Nui people.

The plan of bringing back objects continues Thor Heyerdahl’s collaboration with the Rapa Nui community and Chilean authorities. It will develop modern museums based on collaboration, which will strengthen both The Kon-Tiki Museum and Museo Rapa Nui. It will also stimulate further scientific studies by making collections available on Rapa Nui, where the Rapa Nui people and visiting scholars have easier access.

The return of objects to Rapa Nui will make sure that the Rapa Nui people hold legal ownership of their cultural objects. This action will build up their collections and artefacts on display. The Kon-Tiki Museum will work closely with Museo Rapa Nui to create modern solutions for continuing to present exhibits on Rapa Nui culture in Norway. Some of them include new digital techniques, replicas of artefacts and loans of objects.

-This project continues Thor Heyerdahl and The Kon-Tiki Museums collaboration with Rapa Nui and the state of Chile. My grandfather would be proud of what we are about to accomplish, says Liv Heyerdahl, director of The Kon-Tiki Museum.