On October 26, 2023 we held our third virtual lecture with Ken Zoll, Executive Director Emeritus of the Verde Valley Archaeology Center and Museum in Camp Verde, AZ. Ken discussed meteorites that have been found at several ancient sites in the American Southwest.

Four of these meteorites were in or near dwellings of the Sinagua Culture in Central Arizona. The Sinagua meteorites were determined to be part of the Canyon Diablo meteorite that created Meteor Crater near Flagstaff more than 50,000 years ago. Literature suggested that these specimens were manually transported to their locations by Native Americans hundreds of years ago. However, using recent research and modeling, the manuport hypothesis is questioned, resulting in an alternative conclusion. In addition, the estimated date of the destruction of one of the Sinagua ruins was confirmed using radiocarbon dating of charred material adhering to the meteorite that was found in the dwelling.

Ken Zoll is a founding member of the Verde Valley Archaeology Center and Museum in Camp Verde and was its Executive Director from 2012 to 2022, when he retired and was named Executive Director Emeritus. Ken is also a “featured presenter” on Arizona archaeology for the “Best of Sedona” Road Scholar program of Northern Arizona University. Author of six books and several articles on archaeology, rock art and cultural astronomy, he continues to study, teach and write.