Lebombo

Lebombo is a toponymic term used in southern Africa to describe a geological and archaeological region as well as the notable artifacts found there. Most commonly, it denotes the Lebombo Mountains, a long, narrow range that runs along the eastern edge of the African continent, forming part of the border area between Mozambique and South Africa and extending into Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). The range is associated with the eastern escarpment and features rugged terrain, with ridges and valleys that support savanna and woodland habitats. The mountains have long served as a geographic landmark and ecological corridor in the region.

In archaeology, the Lebombo bone refers to a small carved bone fragment found in the Lebombo Mountains area. Dated to roughly 35,000 to 44,000 years ago, it bears 29 notches and is widely cited as one of the oldest possible indicators of counting or calendrical behavior. Interpretations vary, with some researchers viewing it as a tally stick related to lunar cycles, while others caution against over-interpretation of a single artifact.

Ecologically, the Lebombo region hosts diverse wildlife and plant communities and is encompassed by conservation areas and cross-border initiatives that aim to protect biodiversity and support sustainable land use. The area also reflects human history in southern Africa, with evidence of long-term occupation and passage through the mountains shaping cultural and economic interactions across contemporary national borders. The name Lebombo thus anchors both a geographic feature and a notable archaeological symbol within southern Africa.