Trans-Saharan Trade
Camel caravans that crossed the Sahara for over a thousand years, exchanging West African gold for North African salt and goods.
- Period
- c. 8th – 16th century at its peak
- Key towns
- Sijilmasa, Taghaza, Timbuktu, Gao
Gold and salt
West African goldfields supplied much of the gold used in the Mediterranean world, while salt mined in the desert was essential in the Sahel.
Ideas on the move
Caravans brought Islam, Arabic scholarship and books, which helped turn Timbuktu and other cities into centres of learning.