Going into Bridgewater, I really had no idea what I wanted to do as a career. Now I have more answers than I did before.
Mackenzie Cobb, ’26, is using modern scientific techniques to gain insights into how people lived thousands of years ago.
The West Bridgewater resident is studying pieces of pottery with the goal of determining what these ancient people ate. Along the way, she’s gaining new perspectives on her own future.
“I don’t think I would be able to explore this potential avenue for a career if I didn’t have the ability to research and experiment,” she said. “It gives me insight into what it is like to do this work fulltime.”
With a major in chemistry and minor in anthropology, Mackenzie is pursuing the right degree to continue conducting this type of research. Her current project, supported by BSU’s Adrian Tinsley Program for Undergraduate Research and Creative Work, involves pottery used by Pocomtuc indigenous people 500-2,000 years ago in what is today western Massachusetts.
Working under the mentorship of chemistry Professor Sarah Soltau and anthropology Associate Professor Michael Zimmerman, Mackenzie extracts lipids from the pottery samples. She conducts chemical analyses on these lipid residue deposits with the goal of determining if the vessels once contained animal fats or plant fats. While her work cannot be generalized to the entire Pocomtuc people, Massachusetts Archaeological Society officials hope it will provide lifestyle clues and lay the groundwork for using this methodology to conduct additional research.
“We hope Mackenzie is able to learn more about this past population and their daily lives,” said Jessica Munkittrick, a society board member. “It’s a collection that might not otherwise be looked at in-depth.”
Munkittrick and society President John Campbell, ’11, identified the pottery as ideal material for an undergraduate researcher, and Dr. Zimmerman connected them to Mackenzie.
Campbell, who completed undergraduate research when he was a Bridgewater anthropology major, is impressed with Mackenzie’s dedication.
“What stands out about Mackenzie in this research is her drive to try to find out how the methodology will work and the results themselves,” he said. “She is a student who is clearly not afraid of rolling up her sleeves to get the job done.”
Mackenzie, who is also minoring in Irish studies, said she is driven by a desire to learn new things about the past and showcase how chemistry is important in humanities research.
“I’ve met a lot of different people,” she said of the project. “It’s really helped me grow. Going into Bridgewater, I really had no idea what I wanted to do as a career. Now I have more answers than I did before.”
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