With Ra I and Ra II across the Atlantic

From Egypt– via Morocco– to Barbados 1969-1970

In Egypt Thor Heyerdahl built Ra I, using papyrus and old time ship building techniques still known to local fishermen. By managing to cross the Atlantic to Barbados he proved the connections between North Africa and America.

The boat Ra (again named after a sun-god) was constructed based on drawings from ancient Egypt. Heyerdahl was told boats made from papyrus would only float for two weeks, but he wanted to prove this wrong. The builders came from Lake Chad in Chad. When the boat was finished it was launched into the Atlantic in Morocco. The seven people aboard represented each a nation, this way Thor Heyerdahl also made it a peace project. Ra sailed 5000 kilometers in eight weeks under the UN flag, and unfortunately had to interrupt due to damage on the boat with only one week left to Barbados. During the trip the crew reported about environmental problems on the earth after finding oil far out in the ocean. Ten months later Thor Heyerdahl launched his second boat built from papyrus from the same Moroccan city. Indians from Lake Titicaca in South-America built Ra II. The entire crew from Ra I wanted to continue, and one more representing an eighth nation joined. Ra II sailed 6100 kilometes from Safi in Morocco to Barbados in only 57 days. Again anthropologists throughout the world had to revise their opinion. And by observing the environment the journey put the threat to the oceans on the agenda.

See map