"We have always been taught that navigation is the result of civilization, but modern archeology has demonstrated very clearly that this is not so"

This quote by Thor Heyerdahl is suggesting that the traditional view of navigation being a result of civilization is not necessarily real. Heyerdahl is indicating that contemporary archeology has exposed evidence that recommends that navigation was not always an outcome of civilization, but rather something that was practiced prior to civilization even existed. This quote is challenging the traditional view of navigation and is suggesting that it is something that has actually been around for much longer than previously believed. Heyerdahl is suggesting that navigation is something that has actually been around given that the dawn of time and is not something that was only developed after civilization. This quote is essential as it challenges the conventional view of navigation and motivates us to think of the history of navigation in a different way.