Ingombe Ilede is an archaeological National Monument site located in the southern province of Zambia. The site is located in Siavonga District close to the Kariba Dam, on a hill near the confluence of the Zambezi and Lusitu Rivers. The name Ing’ombe Ilede means the “sleeping cow”. The site was excavated by Archaeologists J H Chaplin after it was uncovered in 1960 by government workers.

Detailed research works have been undertaken at the site which have revealed that the place was a small commercial state or principality whose chief item of trade was salt, textile, copper ore, ceramics, and gold. Archaeological findings from the 7^th to 16^th century made this site the one of the most important archeological sites in the region.

Further, research revealed that the place flourished in the 13th to the 15th century, and is supposed to have had trade relations with the Mwenemutapa Empire, people from the Katanga region of the present day DRC and possibly people from India. Don’t forget to make a stop at this wonderful site as you explore Lake Kariba.