1. Thor Heyrdahl

2. What did Thor Heyrdahl set out to do? Sail a balsa wood & reed raft across the open Pacific Ocean. 101 day & 8,000 miles Voyage took place in 1947

3. What equipment did he use? A balsa wood and reed raft carrying 5 men

4. Briefly outline some of the major “expeditions” undertaken by Heyerdahl. Kon Tiki expedition First archaeological expedtition to Galapagos Islands (1952) First archaeological excavations on Easter Islands (1955) Ra Expedition 1969-1970

5. In 1970, Sailed across the Atlantic in a reed raft (12 m long & 12 men)

6. Was he successful? In other words, did he accomplish what he set out to do? YES – Kon Tiki voyage proved that Polynesia was well within the range of prehistoric South American seafarers. Ra II crossed the Atlantic Ocean and sailed the approx. 6,100 km from Safi in Morocco to Barbados in the West Indies in 57 days.