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Melanesia

To the north and east of Australia lie the islands known as Melanesia. These islands form one of the most culturally complex regions of the entire world, with 1,293 languages spoken across the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and the island of New Guinea. The British Museum collections date back to some of the earliest voyages in this area in the 19th century and it continues to collect, adding objects which reflect the contemporary development of the region.

Polynesia

The Polynesian collection at the Museum date back to the earliest contact with European explorers and missionaries. Discover a massive stone Easter Island figure, an intricately carved Maori lintel from New Zealand and a feather cape from Hawaii.

Micronesia

Explore the cultures of the islands that constitute Micronesia through the collections of The British Museum.