Melanesia - The culture of Lapita

[08/17/2003] Pieces of pottery from the civilization of Lapita, which was once the most dominant culture in Oceania. It is very likely that the culture of Lapita contained traces of southeast Asian culture (this was determined by the clay and earthenware found).

The Lapita culture mostly settled in the area of Melanesia, the Fidshy and Samoan Islands and the area of Tonga. They lived there approximately 3000 years ago. It is still unknown, whether they migrated from Southeast Asia, have always been native to that region or are related to some of the earlier cultures like the sunken Lemurians or Mo people.

For more detailed information about this subject, you can send your request, to:

Prof. Atholl Anderson, Australian National University
Atholl.Anderson@anu.edu.au

or

Dr. Richard Walter, University of Otago
richard.walter@stonebow.otago.ac.nz