def upload_file(self, filename, file_type=FILE_TYPE_FREESURFER_DIRECTORY):
        """Create an anatomy object on local disk from the given file.
        Currently, only Freesurfer anatomy directories are supported. Expects a
        tar file.

        Parameters
        ----------
        filename : string
            Name of the (uploaded) file
        file_type : string
            File type (currently expects FILE_TYPE_FREESURFER_DIRECTORY)

        Returns
        -------
        SubjectHandle
            Handle for created subject in database
        """
        # We currently only support one file type (i.e., FREESURFER_DIRECTORY).
        if file_type != FILE_TYPE_FREESURFER_DIRECTORY:
            raise ValueError('Unsupported file type: ' + file_type)
        return self.upload_freesurfer_archive(filename)