The Maldives Mystery

Until the mid-20th century, no European archaeologists had conducted excavations in the Maldives, and this country remained terra incognita even for its own inhabitants. But Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl (1914–2002) embarks on a new adventure — he penetrates the jungles of the deserted atoll of Gaaf-Gannu and uncovers the ruins of a stepped, sun-oriented stone pyramid, the walls of which are covered with solar symbols. How did it end up here? Who built it? Who lived on the island in ancient times? These and other answers are found in the book of the fearless traveler "The Maldives Mystery." About the author: THOR HEYERDAHL (1914–2002) — Norwegian archaeologist, traveler, and writer. In 1983–1984, Thor Heyerdahl surveyed the burial mounds found in the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. There, he discovered foundations and courtyards oriented to the east, as well as sculptures of bearded seafarers with elongated earlobes ("long-eared"). Both of these archaeological finds are consistent with the theory of a seafaring civilization originating from modern Sri Lanka, which settled the Maldives and influenced or even founded the ancient culture of South America and Easter Island. Heyerdahl's discoveries are detailed in his book "The Maldives Mystery." About the translator: LEV LVOVICH ZHDANOV (1924–1995) — a writer and translator of the third generation. In the early 20th century, his grandfather Lev Grigorievich Zhdanov (1854–1951) gained great fame with his historical novels; his father, Lev Shiffers, was also a prose writer and translator. Lev Zhdanov spent his childhood years in Norway. He participated in the Great Patriotic War, the end of which he met in Berlin. The translator's literary debut took place in 1955 when his translation of Thor Heyerdahl's book "The Journey on 'Kon-Tiki'" was published in the magazine "Youth." Throughout his life, Lev Zhdanov translated more than 150 books — from English, Norwegian, Swedish, and other languages. Thanks to him, Russian readers became acquainted with the works of such writers as R. Amundsen, B. Danielsson, J.-Y. Cousteau,