description The Ra Expeditions Overview
The Ra Expeditions is Thor Heyerdahl's account of two attempts to cross the Atlantic in boats constructed mainly from papyrus reeds. The first vessel, Ra, failed to complete the passage in 1969, while Ra II sailed from Morocco to Barbados in 1970. Heyerdahl presented the voyages as experiments showing that such an ocean crossing was technically possible with ancient-style materials, not as proof that Egyptians had historically colonized or regularly reached the Americas.
help The Ra Expeditions FAQ
Did the Ra expedition boat actually make it across the Atlantic?
The first boat, named Ra, fell apart and failed to complete the crossing in 1969. However, Thor Heyerdahl successfully sailed a second vessel, Ra II, from Morocco to Barbados in 1970.
What was the purpose of Thor Heyerdahl's Ra Expeditions?
Heyerdahl wanted to prove that ancient civilizations could have crossed the Atlantic Ocean using boats made of papyrus reeds. He specifically aimed to demonstrate a possible cultural link between Egypt and the civilizations of the Americas.
What material was the Ra II boat built from?
Ra II was constructed primarily from papyrus reeds, which were sourced from Lake Tana in Ethiopia. Heyerdahl built the vessel using ancient Egyptian models to test their seaworthiness on the open ocean.
Where did the Ra Expeditions start and end?
The successful Ra II voyage launched from the port of Safi in Morocco. After spending 57 days at sea, the crew successfully landed on the island of Barbados in the Caribbean.
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