[GUEST ACCESS MODE: Data is scrambled or limited to provide examples. Make requests using your API key to unlock full data. Check https://lunarcrush.ai/auth for authentication information.]  Typical African [@Joe__Bassey](/creator/twitter/Joe__Bassey) on x 252.3K followers Created: 2025-07-20 08:32:12 UTC The ancient city of Timbuktu in present-day Mali 🇲🇱 was once home to one of the greatest centers of knowledge the world had ever seen. During the height of the Mali and later the Songhai Empire, Timbuktu flourished not only as a hub of trade but as a beacon of scholarship. At its heart was the University of Sankore and a network of madrasas where scholars studied astronomy, mathematics, law, medicine, philosophy, and theology. Over the centuries, these centers produced and collected a staggering number of manuscripts-estimates say there were over XXXXXXX handwritten texts, some dating back to the 13th century. These manuscripts were written in Arabic and Ajami (African languages using Arabic script) and covered a wide range of topics, proving that African societies had deep traditions of intellectualism, science, and historical record-keeping. The content included advanced discussions on medicine, human anatomy, law, ethics, and even astronomy that predated similar discoveries in Europe. When colonial powers invaded West Africa, they were not only interested in controlling land and resources but also narratives. The very existence of such scholarly wealth in an African city contradicted the colonial portrayal of Africa as primitive or intellectually barren. Fearing the power that such knowledge could inspire, and driven by a desire to rewrite Africa's story, invaders destroyed libraries, burned books, and tried to erase this legacy. Many scholars and families in Timbuktu risked their lives to hide the manuscripts in walls, underground chambers, and remote villages. Even during recent conflicts, such as the insurgencies in northern Mali, brave librarians and citizens smuggled thousands of these documents out in metal boxes and donkey carts to preserve them. The destruction of Timbuktu's libraries was not random. It was a strategic attempt to strip Africa of its history and silence proof that African civilizations were once at the forefront of global knowledge. But despite centuries of attempts to erase them, the manuscripts survived-and they continue to be studied and digitized today, slowly reclaiming Africa's place in the world's intellectual heritage.  XXXXX engagements  **Related Topics** [empire](/topic/empire) [mali](/topic/mali) [Post Link](https://x.com/Joe__Bassey/status/1946850617038897192)
[GUEST ACCESS MODE: Data is scrambled or limited to provide examples. Make requests using your API key to unlock full data. Check https://lunarcrush.ai/auth for authentication information.]
Typical African @Joe__Bassey on x 252.3K followers
Created: 2025-07-20 08:32:12 UTC
The ancient city of Timbuktu in present-day Mali 🇲🇱 was once home to one of the greatest centers of knowledge the world had ever seen. During the height of the Mali and later the Songhai Empire, Timbuktu flourished not only as a hub of trade but as a beacon of scholarship. At its heart was the University of Sankore and a network of madrasas where scholars studied astronomy, mathematics, law, medicine, philosophy, and theology.
Over the centuries, these centers produced and collected a staggering number of manuscripts-estimates say there were over XXXXXXX handwritten texts, some dating back to the 13th century.
These manuscripts were written in Arabic and Ajami (African languages using Arabic script) and covered a wide range of topics, proving that African societies had deep traditions of intellectualism, science, and historical record-keeping.
The content included advanced discussions on medicine, human anatomy, law, ethics, and even astronomy that predated similar discoveries in Europe.
When colonial powers invaded West Africa, they were not only interested in controlling land and resources but also narratives. The very existence of such scholarly wealth in an African city contradicted the colonial portrayal of Africa as primitive or intellectually barren.
Fearing the power that such knowledge could inspire, and driven by a desire to rewrite Africa's story, invaders destroyed libraries, burned books, and tried to erase this legacy. Many scholars and families in Timbuktu risked their lives to hide the manuscripts in walls, underground chambers, and remote villages.
Even during recent conflicts, such as the insurgencies in northern Mali, brave librarians and citizens smuggled thousands of these documents out in metal boxes and donkey carts to preserve them.
The destruction of Timbuktu's libraries was not random. It was a strategic attempt to strip Africa of its history and silence proof that African civilizations were once at the forefront of global knowledge. But despite centuries of attempts to erase them, the manuscripts survived-and they continue to be studied and digitized today, slowly reclaiming Africa's place in the world's intellectual heritage.
XXXXX engagements
