Ancient Snapshots: Verde Valley Family Life from the 11th to the 14th Centuries with Ken Zoll

Ever wonder what Arizona was like one thousand years ago? Step back in time to the eleventh through fourteenth centuries and discover how ancient people in the Verde Valley of Central Arizona lived. Showcasing some of the 50,000 artifacts recovered from the Dyck Cliff Dwelling in Rimrock, Arizona, this program offers a snapshot of daily life including shelter, diet, tools, household goods, clothing, and leisure time activities. Unlike so many other cliff dwellings in the Verde Valley that were robbed of their archaeological materials by pot hunters seeking treasures, the collection of artifacts and ancient food remains from the Dyck Cliff Dwelling provides a rare window into the Verde Valley’s ancient past. The site, on private property, was professionally excavated from 1962 to 1972 by the Southwest Museum of Los Angeles.

This program is cohosted by The Museum of Casa Grande. This is an in-person event.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Ken Zoll is the Executive Director of the Verde Valley Archaeology Center in Camp Verde, and the Regional Coordinator of the site steward program of Arizona State Parks and Trails, charged with the monitoring of several prehistoric sites in the Verde Valley. Ken is also a volunteer docent at the cultural heritage sites in the Coconino National Forest. His archaeology specialty is ancient astronomy practices and he has conducted many studies within the Coconino National Forest and for the City of Springerville Arizona. He is a certified instructor in ancient astronomical practices with the Arizona Archaeological Society. Ken has authored three books, Sinagua Sunwatcher and Understanding the Rock Art of Sedona and the Verde Valley. All proceeds from the sale of his books go to Verde Valley Archaeology Center. His latest book entitled Heart of the Sky: Ancient Astronomy Practices in Central Arizona describes his astronomy discoveries over the past eight years.