Fiji

An archipelago in eastern Melanesia. Archaeological evidence shows that Fiji was settled by Austronesian-speaking peoples in the late 2nd millennium BC, and they developed pottery by about 1300 BC. A rich archaeological sequence begins with the Lapita culture from about 1300 BC, and progresses through successive ceramic phases to a period of earthwork for construction and warfare, starting after c 1100 AD. Fijians are a Melanesian/Polynesian population, and their islands formed the main bridgehead for the Polynesian settlement of western Polynesia soon after 1300 BC. Fiji is the most easterly point in Oceania to have maintained production of pottery throughout its pre-history. The Dutch navigator Abel Tasman explored the islands of Vanua Levu and Taveuni in 1643.

An archipelago in eastern Melanesia, centred on the large islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. A rich archaeological sequence begins with the Lapita culture from about 1300 be, and progresses through successive ceramic phases (see Sigatoka) to a period of earthwork fort construction and warfare, perhaps starting after ad 1100. Fijians are an intermediate Melanesian/Polynesian population, and their islands formed the main bridgehead for the Polynesian settlement of western Polynesia soon after 1300 be. Fiji is the most easterly point in Oceania to have maintained production of pottery throughout its prehistory.