Contact: Sarah Nicholas
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State’s Cobb Institute of Archaeology is celebrating its 50th anniversary Oct. 16-18 with a weekend of special events highlighting a half-century of groundbreaking research, student engagement and community outreach.
Founded in October 1975 as a research and service unit in MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences, the Cobb Institute has become a regional leader in archaeological study. Its facilities include the Lois Dowdle Cobb Museum of Archaeology, specialized laboratories and an extensive research library.
“From its earliest days, the Cobb Institute has combined world-class research with a commitment to serving students and the broader public,” said Director Jimmy Hardin, professor and head of the Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures. “For 50 years, our faculty, staff and students have worked to broaden our understanding of the past, share knowledge and inspire the next generation of archaeologists. This anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate our past while looking ahead to future discoveries.”
The celebration begins Thursday, Oct. 16, with a campus fall festival followed by a public lecture from noted archaeologist Eric Cline, whose talk will center on his acclaimed book “1177 BC: The Year Civilization Ended.” Events continue through Saturday, Oct. 18, and include tours of the museum, laboratories and curation facility, lectures by Cobb staff, live music, outreach activities and an outdoor movie on the institute’s lawn.
The weekend will offer rare behind-the-scenes access to archaeological collections and research in progress. Visit https://msstatealumni.ticketspice.com/cobb-institute-50th-anniversary-w… for a complete list of 50th anniversary events.
The Cobb Institute’s mission centers on advancing research, teaching and outreach related to both the Middle Eastern origins of Western civilization and to the indigenous peoples of the South. Excavation project sites include areas from Mississippi to Israel, and efforts extend across excavation, exploration, publications and public service. Staff archaeologists conduct cultural and historical investigations, field excavations, laboratory analysis and cultural resource management projects in partnership with local, state, federal and international organizations. The institute also provides hands-on learning opportunities for MSU students, from summer field schools to internships and work-study positions, while hosting public lectures, tours and outreach events for the community.
For more information about MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences and the Cobb Institute of Archaeology, visit www.cas.msstate.edu and www.cobb.msstate.edu.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.