Progenitors

The Progenitors were an ancient alien species that were the first form of life that existed in the galaxy.

Arising into sentience, they explored space but found no race like their own. Thus, they seeded many planetary environments with a DNA code that would lead to the further development of Humanoid based lifeforms.

During the 2360's, Professor Richard Galen uncovered evidence of the ancient humanoid race along with a program that was a message from the Progenitors. This required the collection of genetic samples from numerous species a task that the Klingon, Cardassian and Romulan people's also engaged in as they believed that fight would be a great technological advance for them. Captain Jean-Luc Picard completed the find after the Professor's death which led to the viewing of a message from the Progenitors that explained their past. 

It was speculated the the ancient race died out due to an early invasion by the Dark matter based lifeform known as the Totality and that they were responsible for the creation of the Galactic barrier.