Ingombe Ilede, Archaeological site in Siavonga, Zambia
Ingombe Ilede is an archaeological site in Siavonga where ruins of an Iron Age settlement sit on a hill at the meeting point of the Zambezi and Lusitu rivers. The site holds burial grounds, pottery fragments, and tools that show how people lived here hundreds of years ago.
The settlement was a trading center from the 15th to 16th century, moving goods between the African interior and the Indian Ocean coast. This period brought wealth and connections to distant trading networks to the region.
The burial of a leader held copper crosses, gold beads, and glass ornaments, revealing a wealthy community with far-reaching trade connections. These objects from distant regions show how important this site was for exchange between different peoples.
Visitors should arrange their trip in advance since the site is not always open to the public without planning. A local guide explains the finds and their meaning, making the visit much more understandable.
A giant baobab tree lies flat on the ground and looks like a sleeping cow, which inspired the site's name. The local word "Ingombe Ilede" means exactly that, connecting the nature of the place with its story.
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