The Incredible and Unlikely Voyage of the Reedship Viracocha II from Chile to Easter Island

If you've enjoyed the show, I hope you'll SUBSCRIBE to keep the voyage moving forward. Click here:    / @backstagemusicchannel  

THIS VIDEO IS PURELY A TRAVEL JOURNAL MEANT FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. IT DOES NOT IN ANY WAY WISH TO MAKE SCIENTIFIC ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT WHERE REED SHIPS ORIGINATED, OR MAKE STATEMENTS ABOUT ANY PARTICULAR COUNTRY OR AFFILIATION THEREOF, OR MAKE ASSUMPTIONS OR STATEMENTS ABOUT WHERE THESE SHIPS ORIGINATED.

In 2003 the ancient-styled Viracocha II reed ship sailed successfully from Viña del Mar, Chile to Easter Island to determine if pre-Columbian mariners could have helped populate eastern Polynesia thousands of years ago. The 65-foot long, 20 ton ship was made by Aymara reed boat builders of Bolivia, using methods thought to date back well over 1,000 years. The ship required over 2.5 million totora reeds harvested on Lake Titicaca in Bolivia and Peru.

The following film is not intended for sale or profit, nor is it intended to be a full historical analysis of the cultures of the South American continent. It is presented here primarily for entertainment purposes, focusing on the adventure itself. Filmed and produced by Thom Pollard of Eyes Open Productions, production of the film began in 2002, made possible from funding by National Geographic Channel. A shorter film was the focus of initial funding. However, the film never aired. It is understood that historical facts about these ancient ships are left up to speculation. The expedition leader and producer endeavored to be as accurate as possible.

The Viracocha 2 Reedship Expedition was led by Phil Buck of Massachusetts, USA. The primary focus of the expedition was to determine if it was possible for ancient mariners of the South American continent to sail westward in primitive vessels, thus populating eastern Polynesia. The mysteries of the lost civilizations and moai statues make Easter Island one of the most mysterious places on earth. Referred to in its original name Rapa Nui, it's the most remote inhabited island in the world, located nearly 3,000 miles off the coast of Chile.

Before his death Thor Heyerdahl consulted with Phil Buck on the construction of this 64-foot, 20-ton, double-hulled ship.

Editors note: I'm an adventurer, not an historian. I was asked to film this expedition as an adventurer and filmmaker. I accepted. Phil Buck is from the United States. To deduct from this adventure film that there is any bias whatsoever toward a culture or group would be a big leap. There are hours upon hours of additional footage that never made this cut, which were intended for the final film. Because of other projects and responsibilities, that film was never edited and produced. The film you see here was put together for the purposes of a celebration for crew and their families. Many of the elements that we filmed, which never aired, include lengthy interviews with prominent historians, all of whom discuss your thoughts. It is not, nor ever would be, my intent to offend of discredit any culture or group. This expedition endeavored to see if it was possible for ancient ships to sail vast distances across the oceans. Bye the bye, the departure location, which happens to be in Chile, was chosen because of its proximity to the Humboldt Current, not because of any loyalty to Chile, per se.

THIS FILM IS NOT INTENDED FOR SALE OR PROFIT AND ANY MUSIC WITHIN IS USED PURELY FOR ROUGH CUT PURPOSES. THIS FILM WILL NOT BE SOLD WITHOUT ALL RIGHTS AND COPYRIGHTS SECURED. If music in this film is not credited, please contact the admin of this account so that credit can be added herein. At least one of the songs in the film is as follows:

Music in this video
Learn more
Listen ad-free with YouTube Premium
Song
Bushmen - FirstCom
Artist
Chris Gibbons, Ian West
Album
CNCT117From China To Peru
Licensed to YouTube by
AdRev for a 3rd Party (on behalf of Connect); AdRev Publishing