Flute c. 200 - 500

This flute was crafted by the Nazca people from Peru. It’s made of bone, carefully carved and incised with patterns. The choice of bone is significant. Materials available to a culture will impact on the kind of making possible. The makers would have had a deep understanding of the bone's structure, how it could be worked, and its acoustic properties. The surface is covered with rows of small circles. These delicate incisions display the maker's dexterity and attention to detail. The labor involved suggests the flute was a valued object, perhaps for ritual use. Consider that the act of making music involves both technical skill and the human spirit. Craft and music carry profound cultural meanings. By acknowledging the artistry and context of objects like this flute, we gain a fuller appreciation of human creativity.