The Lebombo bone is a fascinating artifact that sheds light on the advanced knowledge and skills of ancient civilizations. Discovered in Border Cave, nestled within the Lebombo Mountains between South Africa and Eswatini, this bone tool crafted from a baboon fibula has captured the imagination of historians and mathematicians alike.
What makes the Lebombo bone especially intriguing is the series of 29 notches carved into its surface. This unique feature has led experts to hypothesize that it might have been used as a lunar phase counter. In fact, The Universal Book of Mathematics suggests that the bone’s notches could have served as a means of tracking lunar cycles, hinting at a potential connection to the mathematical calculations involved in monitoring menstrual cycles. This would imply that African women may have been the first mathematicians, as the intricate task of keeping track of lunar phases is integral to understanding and predicting menstrual patterns.
The implications of the Lebombo bone’s purpose are profound, as they challenge traditional narratives about the origins of mathematics and the roles of different cultures in its development. This humble yet remarkable tool brings to the forefront the depth of knowledge possessed by ancient societies and the sophistication of their understanding of celestial phenomena.
The significance of the Lebombo bone extends beyond its potential mathematical applications. It represents a testament to the ingenuity and intellect of our ancestors, offering a glimpse into their way of life, belief systems, and cultural practices. This artifact serves as a reminder that each civilization, no matter how distant in time, has contributed to the collective tapestry of human knowledge and progress.
Accompanying this text are images of the Lebombo bone, providing a visual connection to this ancient relic. These visual representations further emphasize the importance of preserving and studying such historical artifacts, as they offer invaluable insights into the minds and lives of those who came before us. In the Lebombo bone, we find not just an archaeological curiosity, but a symbol of the enduring quest for understanding and the inherent curiosity that drives human advancement.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the site!
Country of My Skull: Guilt, Sorrow, and the Limits of Forgiveness in the New South Africa
$11.99 (as of February 6, 2026 14:12 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
We Are Not Such Things: The Murder of a Young American, a South African Township, and the Search for Truth and Reconciliation
$22.58 (as of February 6, 2026 14:12 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
More Than Just a Game: Soccer vs. Apartheid: The Most Important Soccer Story Ever Told
$25.75 (as of February 6, 2026 14:12 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Three Sips of Gin: Dominating the Battlespace with Rhodesia's famed Selous Scouts
$40.81 (as of February 6, 2026 14:12 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation
$11.95 (as of February 6, 2026 14:12 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Conversations with Myself
$26.50 (as of February 6, 2026 14:12 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography--The True Story of a Black Youth's Coming of Age in Apartheid South Africa
$10.55 (as of February 6, 2026 14:12 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
The Lost World of the Kalahari
$12.83 (as of February 6, 2026 14:12 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
The Washing of the Spears
$8.44 (as of February 6, 2026 14:12 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)