Ra II expedition

Record summary

Thor Heyerdahl's Ra II expedition tested whether a vessel made from papyrus reeds could cross the Atlantic, following his earlier failed Ra attempt. The successful 1970 voyage is relevant to comparisons between experimental archaeology, ancient Egyptian or North African boat traditions, and claims about prehistoric transoceanic contact. It demonstrated navigability under particular construction and weather conditions, but did not prove that ancient Egyptians or other ancient peoples made the same journey. The expedition's design, crew practices, and interpretive claims require separation from archaeological evidence.