What culture produced early pottery and is thought to be the common ancestor for some of the Pacific cultures including cultures in Micronesia Polynesia and some of the coastal areas of Melanesia?

The Lapita culture, which emerged around 1600 BCE in the southwestern Pacific, is credited with producing some of the earliest pottery in the region. This culture is considered a common ancestor for various Pacific societies, including those in Micronesia, Polynesia, and parts of Melanesia, due to its distinctive pottery style and seafaring capabilities. The Lapita people are known for their intricate ceramic designs and played a crucial role in the dispersal of Austronesian languages and cultural practices across the Pacific islands.