Thor Heyerdahl may have been an intrepid sailor, but ancient South Americans apparently weren't.

BBC: What is anthropological genetics?

The expedition was launched from Peru by anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl to demonstrate that South Americans could have settled Polynesia.

BBC: Floating ferret rescued off Anglesey's Beaumaris Pier

The Plastiki's name is wordplay off the "Kon-Tiki, " a balsa raft made famous by Norwegian Thor Heyerdahl, who in 1947 sailed the vessel from Peru to the Polynesian islands.

CNN: Boat of plastic to set sail with environmental message

Everyone except, it seemed, Thor Heyerdahl.

ECONOMIST: Thor Heyerdahl | The