The Lapita culture is the common ancestor of several cultures in Polynesia, Micronesia, and parts of Melanesia. They were the greatest navigators of the ancient world, using sophisticated double-hulled voyaging canoes to colonize islands across thousands of miles of open ocean without the aid of compasses or metal tools. They are identified archaeologically by their distinct stamped pottery, featuring intricate geometric patterns. Beyond their pottery, they introduced domestic animals like pigs, dogs, and chickens, as well as crops like taro and yams, to the Pacific islands. Their navigation techniques involved 'wayfinding'—interpreting the stars, ocean swells, bird flight patterns, and the color of the sky. This expansion was one of the most remarkable human migrations in history, proving that ancient peoples possessed the technology and courage to cross the world's largest ocean long before European explorers.