The lapita branched off into two different cultural groups, the maori and
melanesians
australians
champas
polynesians

The correct answer is - Polynesians.

The Lapita were a people that migrated into Oceania from the Southeast Asia region. They branched off into two cultural groups, one of them gave rise to the Maori, while the other one to the Polynesians. The Maori were the smaller group that migrated and inhabited the islands of New Zealand, while the Polynesians migrated and inhabited the Polynesian islands. Because of the isolation of the two groups they developed unique cultural traits in time, and even though they had the same root, the changes and different development of their cultures is very evident.

The correct answer is D) Polynesians.

The Lapita branched off into two different cultural groups, the Maori and Polynesians.

We are talking about the prehistorian times in the Pacific region. The Lapita people lived in the Pacific Islands located in the Pacific Ocean during the 1600s BCE and cease to exist approximately around 500 BCE. Anthropologists have made research and conclude that the Lapita influence the Polynesians and the Micronesians. There knew how to work with rocks such as the obsidian and they also created pieces of pottery. Historians also know that the Lapita people were excellent explorers and navigators who understood the ocean currents.