The Lebombo Bone is an ancient artifact that serves as one of the oldest mathematical instruments ever discovered. It was found in the Lebombo Mountains between Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and South Africa. Here are key details about the Lebombo Bone:

1. Discovery:
   • The Lebombo Bone was discovered by a team led by Peter Beaumont in the Border Cave in the Lebombo Mountains in the 1970s.
   • The Border Cave is an archaeological site that has provided valuable insights into the prehistoric period.
2. Age:
   • The Lebombo Bone is estimated to be around 35,000 years old, making it one of the oldest known mathematical artifacts.
3. Description:
   • The Lebombo Bone is a small piece of baboon fibula (lower leg bone) with notches carved into it. It is approximately 8 centimeters (3.1 inches) long.
4. Purpose:
   • The purpose of the Lebombo Bone is believed to be related to counting or marking the passage of time. The notches on the bone may represent a tally or a counting system used by the people of that time.
5. Symbolic or Practical Use:
   • Some researchers suggest that the Lebombo Bone may have had both symbolic and practical uses. It could have been used for counting, recording events, or even as a lunar phase counter.
6. Mathematical Significance:
   • The Lebombo Bone is considered significant because it represents early human attempts to manipulate and understand numerical concepts. The notches may have been used for counting days, lunar cycles, or other repetitive events.
7. Cultural Context:
   • The people who created the Lebombo Bone were likely part of the San people, also known as the Bushmen or Basarwa. The San people are indigenous hunter-gatherer groups who have a rich cultural history.
8. Similar Discoveries:
   • Similar bone artifacts with notches have been found in other archaeological sites, such as the Ishango Bone from the Democratic Republic of Congo. These artifacts provide insights into the mathematical thinking and practices of ancient cultures.
9. Archaeological Context:
   • The Lebombo Bone was found in association with other artifacts and remains in the Border Cave, contributing to a broader understanding of the lifestyle and activities of the prehistoric people who lived in the region.
10. Preservation:
    • The Lebombo Bone is preserved and housed in the Transvaal Museum in Pretoria, South Africa.

The Lebombo Bone is a fascinating archaeological discovery that sheds light on the mathematical abilities and practices of early humans. It serves as a reminder of the ancient roots of human curiosity and the development of numerical concepts.