Organization
Institute of Future Science Future of Humanity Research Center Associate Professor
Title
Associate Professor
External link
LOFTUS JAMES FRANCES
Research Interests
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Digital Archaeology
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Pottery Analysis
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Computational Archaeology
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Material Culture
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Yayoi Period
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Geometric Morphometrics
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3D Analysis
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Japanese Archaeology
Research Areas
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Life Science / Physical anthropology
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Humanities & Social Sciences / Cultural assets study
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Humanities & Social Sciences / Archaeology
Education
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Kyushu University Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Global Society Comprehensive East Asian and Japanese Studies (Archaeology)
2018.10 - 2022.8
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Kyushu University Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Global Society Comprehensive East Asian and Japanese Studies (Archaeology)
2016.10 - 2018.9
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Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University College of Asia Pacific Studies Culture, Society, Media
2013.4 - 2016.3
Research History
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Institute of Science Tokyo Associate Professor
2024.10
Country：Japan
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Tokyo Institute of Technology Associate Professor
2024.4 - 2024.10
Country：Japan
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Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Postdoctoral Research Fellow (PD)
2022.9 - 2024.3
Country：Japan
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Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Doctoral Research Fellow (DC1)
2018.10 - 2022.8
Country：Japan
Professional Memberships
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Japanese Archaeological Association
2025
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Computer Applications & Quantitative Methods in Archaeology
2021
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European Association of Archaeologists
2017
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Society for East Asian Archaeology
2017
Committee Memberships
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Computer Applications & Quantitative Methods in Archaeology Australasia Chapter
2024.6
Committee type：Academic society
Papers
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A Geometric Morphometric Dataset of Edo-Period ‘Ogame’ Jar Profiles from Northern Kyushu, Japan Reviewed
James Frances Loftus
Journal of Open Archaeology Data 13 ( 13 ) 1 - 7 2025.7
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James Frances Loftus
Commons 4 2 - 14 2025.2
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Investigating intentional cranial modification: A hybridized two-dimensional/three-dimensional study of the Hirota site, Tanegashima, Japan Reviewed
Noriko Seguchi, James Frances Loftus, Shiori Yonemoto, Mary-Margaret Murphy
PLOS ONE 18 ( 8 ) 2023.8
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Reexamining Ceramic Standardization During Agricultural Transition: A Geometric Morphometric Investigation of Initial – Early Yayoi Earthenware, Japan Reviewed
James Frances Loftus
Open Archaeology 8 ( 1 ) 1249 - 1268 2022.12
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James Frances Loftus
Doctoral Dissertation 2022.8
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Visualizing Variability in Ceramic Micro-Curvature though Novel 3D Morphometric Mapping and Sliced Segmental Extraction Invited Reviewed
James Frances Loftus, Noriko Seguchi
Journal of Computer Applications in Archaeology 5 ( 1 ) 2022.8
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Micro-Regional Complexities in Yayoi Pottery Form as Seen through Morphometric Statistical Analysis Reviewed
James Frances Loftus
Japanese Journal of Archaeology 2021.12
Books
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Overview: Trends in Japanese Archaeological Research 2023 (English Translation)
James Frances Loftus（ Role： Sole translatorPreparation of the English version (translation)）
Japanese Archaeological Association 2026
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Noteworthy Archaeological Sites 2025 (English Translation)
James Frances Loftus（ Role： Sole translatorPreparation of the English version (translation)）
Japanese Archaeological Association 2026
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Overview: Trends in Japanese Archaeological Research 2022 (English Translation)
James Frances Loftus（ Role： Sole translatorPreparation of the English version (translation)）
Japanese Archaeological Association 2025
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Noteworthy Archaeological Sites 2024 (English Translation)
James Frances Loftus（ Role： Sole translatorPreparation of the English version (translation)）
Japanese Archaeological Association 2024
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The Human Skeletal Remains of the Hirata Site in 'The Hirata Site'.
Yamashita, R, Yonemoto, S, Ferrero, C, James Frances Loftus III, Adachi, Y, Hoshino, C, Takamuku, H, Funahashi, K（ Role： Joint author）
Mashiki Town Board of Education 2023
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Noteworthy Archaeological Sites 2023 (English Translation)
James Frances Loftus（ Role： Sole translatorPreparation of the English version (translation)）
Japanese Archaeological Association 2023
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The Human Skeletal Remains of the Sako Site. in 'The Sako / Urayama Site'.
Matsuo, M, Nakano, M, Hoshino, C, Yamashita, R, James Frances Loftus III, Ferrero, C, Tomita, H, Yonemoto, S, Funahashi, K（ Role： Joint author）
Dazaifu City Board of Education 2021
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The 7th Excavation of the Tsukomuta Site, Burial Situation and Morphological Characteristics in 'The Tsukomuta Site'
Hoshino, C, Yonemoto, S, Yamashita, R, Adachi, Y, Morooka, H, Mizushima, S, Demi, M, Odaka, S, Matsuo, M, Nakano, M, James Frances Loftus III, Funahashi, K（ Role： Joint author）
Ogori Board of Education 2021
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Digital Resources for the Study of Japanese Archaeology
James Frances Loftus（ Role： Sole author）
The Digital Orientalist 2020
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Examining the Merits of 3D Sliced Segmental Extraction: A Case Study of Prehistoric Japanese Ceramics
James Frances Loftus（ Role： Sole author）
The Digital Orientalist 2020
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The Skeletal Remains of the Kuriyama Site, Burial Situation and Morphological Characteristics in 'The Kuriyama Site No. 5'
Matsuo, M, Tomita, H, Nakano, M, Hoshino, C, James Frances Loftus III, Yonemoto, S, Funahashi, K（ Role： Joint author）
Asakura Board of Education 2020
Presentations
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Geometric Morphometric Quantification of East Asian Pottery Standardization: A Comparative case between Yayoi Funerary Vessels, Japan and Erlitou Deep-Bellied Jars, China Invited
James Frances Loftus, Yang, B.
Archaeomaterial Studies in East Asia 2023
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Harnessing Digital & Computational Frontiers in Japanese Archaeology
James Frances Loftus
European Association of Archaeologists (EAA) Annual Meeting 2024.8
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An Ancient Cranial Enigma: 2D/3D Analysis of Cranial Modification at The Hirota Site, Japan
James Frances Loftus, Yonemoto, S, Murphy, MM, Seguchi, S
European Association of Archaeologists (EAA) Annual Meeting 2024.8
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Visualizing Variability in Ceramic Micro-Curvature Though Novel 3D Morphometric Mapping and Sliced Segmental Extraction
James Frances Loftus, Noriko Seguchi
Proceedings of the 8th Conference of “Out of Eurasia” 2023
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Os coxae Morphology of Early and Middle Paleolithic Human Ancestors
Igarashi, Y, Matsuno, M, Seguchi, N, James Frances Loftus, Tanijiri, T
Proceedings of the 8th Conference of “Out of Eurasia” 2023
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Innovative 3D Analysis of Chinese Neolithic Pottery: Insights from the Tachixigou Site(他尺西沟)
European Association of Archaeologists 2025.9
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Pottery, People, Pedagogy?: Revealing Ancient Yayoi Period Social Learning Strategies through Quantitative Morphometrics Invited
James Frances Loftus
The Archaeology of Early Japan: Debating Social Complexity (Yale University) 2024.9
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Entangled: Prehistoric Archaeology in the Digital Age Invited
James Frances Loftus
Institute of Science Tokyo Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) Seminar 2025.4
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Social Learning and Technological Choice during the Jomon-Yayoi Transition
James Frances Loftus
Future Asia Forum 2020
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Experimental Complexities in Yayoi Pottery Production: Social Learning and Technological Choice in Micro-regional Transitional Groups
James Frances Loftus
European Association of Archaeologists (EAA) Annual Meeting 2019
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Beyond Relative-Chronologies: Towards a Model of Pottery Morphometric Analysis in Prehistoric Societies
James Frances Loftus
MORPH 2019 2019
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Conscious and Embodied Social Identities in Prehistoric Yayoi Pottery Communities Invited
James Frances Loftus
World Social Science Forum 2018
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The Kyushu University Museum Skeletal Collection 3D surface Scan Sharing Project and Related Ethical Considerations
Seguchi, N, Yonemoto, S, James Frances Loftus
American Association of Biological Anthropologists Annual Meeting 2022
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A Geometric Morphometric Investigation of Yayoi Period Earthenware, Northern Kyushu
James Frances Loftus
Historical Society of Kyushu Annual Meeting 2019
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Quantifying Standardization of Ceramics during the Japanese Agricultural Transition: Novel GMM and 3D MM Hybrid Analysis
James Frances Loftus
Society for East Asian Archaeology 2022
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Quantifying Morphological Complexities in Yayoi Ceramics: Novel Geometric Morphometrics & 3D Morphometric Mapping
James Frances Loftus
Computer Applications & Quantitative Methods in Archaeology 2021
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Investigating Intentional Cranial Modification at Hirota Site, Tanegashima Island through the Utilization of 3D Mesh Models
Seguchi, N, James Frances Loftus, Yonemoto, S, Murphy, MM, Igarashi, Y
Proceedings of the 6th Conference of “Out of Eurasia” 2022
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Development and Integration of 3D-Applications in Japanese Archaeology
James Frances Loftus
European Association of Archaeologists (EAA) Annual Meeting 2021
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Hybridized Methodology in Ceramic Shape Analysis: A Case Study of Typology, Geometric Morphometrics, And 3d Data in Neolithic Japan
James Frances Loftus
European Association of Archaeologists (EAA) Annual Meeting 2021
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Itazuke Style Globular Earthenware: A Micro-Regional Case Study of Yayoi Pottery Trends in Northern Kyushu, Japan
James Frances Loftus
Society for East Asian Archaeology 2018
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Analysis of Fluctuating Asymmetry of mandibular morphology using interlandmark distances and landmark-based-3DGM: A study on 3D mesh models of Japanese human remains from the 19th and 20th centuries
Hasuda, N, Seguchi, N, James Frances Loftus
American Association of Biological Anthropologists Annual Meeting 2023
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Beyond Quantification for Quantification’s Sake: Exploring Sociocultural Interpretations of Ceramic Standardization in the Japanese Archipelago
James Frances Loftus
European Association of Archaeologists (EAA) Annual Meeting 2023
Awards
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Award of Superior Excellence
2020.2 Future Asia Forum Social Learning and Technological Choice during the Jomon-Yayoi Transition: A Comparative Case Study on Human Cognition through the lens of Prehistoric Material Culture
James Frances Loftus III
Research Projects
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PFI Project: Predicting Future Innovation
2025.4 - 2027.3
DLab+Challenge
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The Crossed-Cultures Project: Technological Hybridization and Cross-Cultural Knowledge Transmission during Agricultural Transition
Grant number：24K22529 2024.7 - 2026.3
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
James Frances Loftus
Authorship：Principal investigator
Grant amount：\2730000 （ Direct Cost: \2100000 、 Indirect Cost：\630000 ）
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A three-dimensional quantitative study of social learning and ceramic style formation in Japanese prehistoric pottery makers
Grant number：22KF0305 2023.3 - 2025.3
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Fellows
Grant amount：\2300000 （ Direct Cost: \2300000 ）
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Itazuke Style Globular Earthenware: A Microregional Comparative Study on Northern Kyushu Yayoi Pottery Trends
Grant number：19J21494 2019.4 - 2022.3
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Fellows
Grant amount：\2500000 （ Direct Cost: \2500000 ）
Teaching Experience
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Special Lecture on Advanced Topics in Social and Human Sciences SB 2
2026.6 Institution：Institute of Science Tokyo
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Collaboration across STEM and Liberal Arts: Decoding Human Evolution & Culture through Innovative Science & Technology
2025.12 Institution：Institute of Science Tokyo
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Archaeology & Biological Anthropology A
2024.10 Institution：Institute of Science Tokyo
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Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences 56: Archaeology & Biological Anthropology
2024.10 Institution：Institute of Science Tokyo
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Archaeology & Biological Anthropology C
2024.10 Institution：Institute of Science Tokyo
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Archaeology & Biological Anthropology B
2024.10 Institution：Institute of Science Tokyo
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Cross-Boundary Liberal Arts Course
2024.4 - 2025.3 Institution：Tokyo Institute of Technology
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Archaeology & Biological Anthropology C
2024.4 - 2024.10 Institution：Tokyo Institute of Technology
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Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences56:Archaeology & Biological Anthropology
2024.4 - 2024.10 Institution：Tokyo Institute of Technology
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Archaeology & Biological Anthropology B
2024.4 - 2024.10 Institution：Tokyo Institute of Technology
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Archaeology & Biological Anthropology A
2024.4 - 2024.10 Institution：Tokyo Institute of Technology
Media Coverage
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The Mystery of the Hirota People’s Cranial Deformation Newspaper, magazine
The Yomiuri Shimbun Science for Everyone 2025.6
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Parents on a Japanese island deformed their children’s heads. No one knows why TV or radio program
Metro UK 2024.4
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Ancient human bones from Tanegashima: Did they intentionally deform their skulls? Newspaper, magazine
Nishinihon Shimbun 2023.9
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Japon : ces crânes découverts sur l'île de Kyushu ont été volontairement déformés Newspaper, magazine
National Geographic France 2023.9
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Groundbreaking research uncovers ancient artificial cranial deformation practices at the Hirota site in Tanegashima Newspaper, magazine
Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun 2023.9
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Eltorzították a gyermekek koponyáját a japán sziget lakói Newspaper, magazine
National Geographic Hungary 2023.8
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Japan's Hirota people practiced cranial modification, and the reasons are unclear Internet
Earth.com 2023.8
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Why Did An Ancient Japanese Society Practice Skull Modification? Newspaper, magazine
Discover Magazine 2023.8
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La déformation des crânes du peuple Hirota était-elle intentionnelle ? Newspaper, magazine
Science Post France 2023.8
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These Ancient Japanese Islanders Created a Signature Skull Shape by Molding Babies’ Heads Newspaper, magazine
Smithsonian Magazine 2023.8
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1,800-Year-Old Skulls From Japan Studied Newspaper, magazine
Archaeology Magazine 2023.8
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Hirota: Wie ein altes japanisches Volk seine Kopfform veränderte Newspaper, magazine
National Geographic Germany 2023.8
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Kyushu University analysis: ancient people from Tanegashima may have intentionally deformed their heads Newspaper, magazine
Nihon Keizai Shimbun 2023.8
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刻意塑造命運？從尼安德塔人到日本廣田人的頭顱改造 Internet
Tomorrow Science (Taiwan) 2023.8
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Csecsemők koponyáit torzították el egy japán sziget lakói Newspaper, magazine
24.hu 2023.8
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Long-standing mystery of modified human skulls in ancient Japan solved by new analysis Newspaper, magazine
CNN 2023.8
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Japan’s Hirota people intentionally reshaped their skulls more than 1,000 years ago Internet
Popular Science 2023.8