page_title: The Viracocha expedition
hierarchical_section_title: The Viracocha expedition
caption_attribution_description: Español: Tripulantes de Viracocha II a borde de la embarcacion
context_page_description: In 2000 and 2003, professional explorer Phil Buck led international teams across the Pacific Ocean from South America to Easter Island via two separate ancient style reed rafts. Both vessels were constructed in their entirety from only four Andean materials; totora reeds, natural fiber rope, cotton sails and wood.
  No one in recorded history has been able to reach the most isolated populated island in the world aboard an any ancient style vessel of any kind. The Viracocha expeditions proved that ancient South American mariners could have been the first to discover Easter Island. Who first reached the island and carved the numerous stone monoliths still remains one of antiquity's greatest mysteries and has baffled the scientific community for centuries.
context_section_description: In 2000 and 2003, professional explorer Phil Buck led international teams across the Pacific Ocean from South America to Easter Island via two separate ancient style reed rafts. Both vessels were constructed in their entirety from only four Andean materials; totora reeds, natural fiber rope, cotton sails and wood.
  No one in recorded history has been able to reach the most isolated populated island in the world aboard an any ancient style vessel of any kind. The Viracocha expeditions proved that ancient South American mariners could have been the first to discover Easter Island. Who first reached the island and carved the numerous stone monoliths (or Moai) still remains one of antiquity's greatest mysteries and has baffled the scientific community for centuries.
caption: Viracocha II crew members
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