Obroan Institute for Archaeology
The Obroan Institute for Archaeology, often referred to as the Obroan Institute, functioned as a research entity within the broader educational network of the library-world of Obroa-skai. This organization was dedicated to the finding, examination, and documentation of various species and civilizations, aiming to foster understanding and appreciation of galactic diversity. The Institute's team of specialists engaged in both on-site investigations and scholarly research, supported by a fleet of exploratory vessels.
Aside from its main headquarters on Obroa-skai, the Institute also operated a significant facility on Coruscant, which included a landing area in Newport, as well as a research outpost on Babali, and reportedly maintained branches on several other planets. As a government-funded arm of the General Ministry within the New Republic, the Institute enjoyed considerable autonomy in its operations. Internal policies were managed by departments such as the Office of Sentient Species. The selection of planets for investigation was based on a list of nominations submitted by researchers, with each mission requiring the researchers to secure funding from the General Ministry or external sources.
History
During 1 BBY, Dr. Insmot Bowen, an Institute specialist in pre-Republic history, participated in a briefing session with General Arhul Kurumenga from the Imperial Department of Military Research, Admiral Conan Antonio Motti, and Master of Imperial Projects Bevel Lemelisk. Bowen presented a theory concerning galactic mysteries, including a barrier located west of the Core Worlds, attributing it to Celestial technology dating back to the Rakatan revolt, a theory that Motti viewed with skepticism.
In 17 ABY, the Institute became involved in the probe into Brath Qella, which was a consequence of the pursuit of the Teljkon Vagabond. A five-hundred-member research team was dispatched by the Institute to study the Sharu on Rafa IV on behalf of the New Republic.
Later, the Yuuzhan Vong invasion of Obroa-skai forced the Institute to urgently safeguard its records and artifacts while evacuating the besieged world. This event prompted Bel-dar-Nolek, who had served as the Institute's director since at least 17 ABY, to publicly challenge the New Republic's failure to defend Obroa-skai before the Senate. The director even proposed that the Institute should independently seek peace with the Yuuzhan Vong in order to return to Obroa-skai and preserve the remaining data.
During the spring break of Roan Novachez's second year at the Jedi academy located on Coruscant, he, along with his friend Pasha and Pasha's dad, journeyed to their home on Obroa-skai. While there, he had the opportunity to visit Pasha's father's workplace at the Obroan Institute for Archaeology. Pasha's father displayed some of the Jedi artifacts he had been researching, including antique Force crystals, the arm of a Tythonian security droid, the Unknown Holocron, an early [lightsaber](/article/lightsaber-legends] prototype, a monogrammed Ossus Keeper robe, and an ancient Jedi text known as The Path of the Jedi. Regrettably, Roan accidentally tore a page from the book and spent the remainder of the trip concerned that Pasha's father was upset with him.