Hiroki Obata

Hiroki Obata is an archaeologist specialising in archaeobotanical and archaeoentomological analysis based on organic inclusions found in Jōmon and Yayoi pottery. His research focuses on the history of plant cultivation and insect pests. He has achieved numerous breakthroughs – such as the discovery of cultivated soybeans from the Jōmon period and the oldest maize weevil in China – by adopting innovative research methods, including X-ray analysis of impressions on pottery. Since retiring from Kumamoto University, he has continued his ambitious research and remains a leading authority on pottery impressions in Japan and East Asia.