Heyerdahl wanted to prove his hypothesis that ancient mariners, in particular, the Egyptians, could make cross the ocean on sailing vessels. And if so, the Indians of Mexico and Peru may be the descendants of tribes who crossed the Bering Strait as it was then considered a science, and sailed across the Atlantic.
This hypothesis was born of the scientist based on the study of ancient cultures. He, in particular, wrote that the similarities between the early civilizations of Egypt and Mexico is not limited to pyramids. In these countries there was a highly developed system of hieroglyphic writing. It has long been observed similarity of fresco painting in churches and shrines, draws attention to the surprising astronomical knowledge and a highly developed calendar system in Mexico and Egypt. In short, there is ample evidence the similarity of cultures, which, in the opinion of Thor Heyerdahl, suggest that the vessels from the shores of the Mediterranean could cross the Atlantic and bring the foundations of ancient Egyptian civilization to the natives of Mexico. For the proof, he set sail on the “RA”.
it Should be noted that this was the second attempt of the scientist to overcome the Atlantic. On the first “RA-1” in 1969 failed due to defects in construction, the boat sank. Her reasons were taken into account, and this time the voyage was completed with complete success. In 57 days, the boat reached the coast of Barbados, breaking the nearly 5700 miles. The expedition was to prove Heyerdahl that ancient mariners could have made TRANS-Atlantic crossings.
But besides the purely scientific, the expedition of Thor Heyerdahl had other goals. Here’s what he wrote in his book “On the “RA” across the Atlantic” one of the members of the expedition, the Russian physician Yuri Senkevich: “Heyerdahl sought to prove that ordinary, not special people and needs in the most difficult conditions to act together and in unison. He went even further. Decided to assemble on Board the “RA” of different races, adherents of different, very dissimilar worldviews and demonstrate, so that people living on one globe, if they are set in common, equally important goal, it can constructively to agree on any issue.”
the Crew consisted of eight people, each representing their country. And this “international” managed to get out of difficult situations in which not just got a light boat. On this small floating island seemed very different people were able to adequately and effectively cooperate.
currently, the legendary boat “RA-2” is stored in the Museum of Oslo.
