Mackenzie DePlata Peterson

My name is Mackenzie DePlata Peterson. I am a first year PhD student here at UW. I am originally from Granby, Colorado and absolutely loved growing up in the high-altitude Rocky Mountains. I spent my undergraduate years at Kansas State University where I really found my love for archaeology. I first came to the University of Wyoming as a field school student in 2019 and later returned for my master's degree in 2022. Since then, my research has been largely focused on spatial analysis of proboscidean sites across North America. I have been combining computer modeling and science with traditional archaeological methods to further interpret bonebed taphonomy at these sites. I have also started to apply these methods to other sites such as the Vore Buffalo Jump, to further analyze the taphonomy and bone concentrations in attempt to understand the location of the jump point at this site. Computer modeling was not something I ever imagined myself doing, but I've come to understand the immense value I have been able to contribute to the field through the application of these methods. I guess I'm also a nerd enough to like it!