The Lapita culture was an ancient Pacific civilization known for its distinctive pottery and seafaring skills. It emerged around 1600 BCE in the western Pacific, particularly in areas like New Caledonia, Vanuatu, and Fiji. The people of Lapita were skilled navigators, using outrigger canoes to explore and settle various islands across the Pacific. Lapita pottery is characterized by its intricate designs, often featuring geometric patterns and motifs. This culture is considered a precursor to the later Polynesian societies, as it laid the foundation for the spread of languages and cultural practices throughout the Pacific Islands.