THE BASKETMAKERS
The later Basketmaker and early Pueblo periods gave rise to some of the most sophisticated musical instruments in the pre-contact American Southwest—as well as some of the oldest known “wooden flutes” found in the Americas.

handcrafted drums and flutes.

Broken Flute Cave

In the summer of 1931, famed southwestern archaeologist Earl H. Morris led an archeological expedition into to the Prayer Rock district of NorthEastern Arizona. Among the artefacts uncovered by the expedition, were four large wooden flutes dated to the Basketmaker III period, between 620–670 CE, making them the oldest known “wooden flutes” found in the Americas. The rock overhang where the flutes were found was later designated “Broken Flute Cave”.

All four flutes currently reside in the Arizona State Museum. See the museum’s online exhibit here.

handcrafted drums and flutes.

The Basketmaker Collection

Introducing A-14450 from Broken Flute Cave
The first flute in a collection of museum quality reproductions from KunKuMan.
A number of makers have been inspired by the later Basketmaker and early Pueblo flutes, formerly “Anasazi”, but many have modified the original designs extensively, changing the rim and playing style, the original aspect ratios, pitch of some notes, and timbre. In this new collection we have chosen not to alter size, rim style or design in any way, leaving the flutes exactly as they were meant to be. These flutes are historically and culturally significant for many people, and we think they deserve to be shared intact, and wholly authentic.

handcrafted drums and flutes.

Learn more about KunKuMan

Our journey began with a need to create, and to make beautiful things by hand. We take the extra time, because we truly appreciate the craft, and value instruments that are genuinely unique and special. And we think it’s meaningful to have a reverence for the past, for the materials and techniques we use — To hold true, but still be out of the ordinary.

All of our flutes are individually handcrafted — one flute at a time. We work with traditional materials like, bone, tobacco, agave, carizzo and sunflower, as well as two or three sustainable hardwoods. We also use various leathers, ceramics, copper, silver, and shell. We source all we can locally, and believe wholeheartedly in sustainable, and ethical fair trade.

With your permission…

We’ed love to stay in touch — We just want to keep you up-to-date with new stuff coming online, learning opportunities, and on our latest inspirations, and creations.

  • Your name (nick name), and email address will be added to our mailing list.
  • This information will never be shared or sold, and you will never receive more than one or two mailings in a given month.
  • You can cancel, “unsubscribe” at any time, and your name and email address will be permanently removed.

Thank you for supporting us at KunKuMan.

KM 1.5 - Camino a Paron
Cordillera Blanca, Peru

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Join KunKuMan!

Join KunKuman and Get more “Yapa!”…along with Discounts, Free Shipping, and up-to-date news and info on our latest discoveries, inspirations, and creations.


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Copyright © 2023 KunKuMan / Cordillera Blanca, Peru

Review our Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy /

Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy /

Copyright © 2023 KunKuMan / Cordillera Blanca, Peru

Copyright © 2023 KunKuMan / Cordillera Blanca, Peru