Burials of kings or of tribal leaders? Interpreting the evidence from monumental tombs in southern Japan

In recent decades, Japanese archaeologists have carried out a great many new excavations and have added immensely to knowledge of Japan's prehistoric and historic past, but interpretation of this vast body of evidence has aroused controversy. Here the Institute's newly appointed lecturer in Japanese archaeology examines the much debated question of how hierarchical societies developed in Japan between 200 BC and AD 300