IT DOESN'T look like much today, just a faded outpost on the
edge of the Sahara, but back in the 15th century Timbuktu was
the height of luxury and sophistication. Traders made their way
across the baking desert to sell gold, ivory, slaves and salt,
and scholars gathered to trade books and exchange ideas.
Explorers left the city with tales of unlimited gold and a king
so wealthy that on one visit to Egypt he caused the price of
gold to crash with his extravagant gifts. Timbuktu's heyday
wasn't to last. In 1591, the city, in what is now Mali, was
invaded by people from Morocco claiming a slice of its riches.
They raided schools and universities, and banished teachers and
their manuscripts. Only a fraction of the writings survived,
remaining hidden for generations in trunks or buried within the
thick mud walls of mosques. Now a team of researchers ... To
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