Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
450 BC
The appearance of ironworking in central Nigeria enables the clearing of forests, which expands ag-
ricultural land and commences the process of denuding West Africa's landscape.
300 BC
Jenné-Jeno is founded in what is now Mali and is recognised as West Africa's first-known urban set-
tlement. By AD 800, Jenné-Jeno is home to an estimated 27,000 people.
AD 300
The Empire of Ghana is founded in what is now the western Sahel. The first of the great West Afric-
an empires, it holds sway over the region for 800 years.
900
Islam first reaches the Sahel, almost 250 years after it crossed the Sahara. It arrives as part of the
trans- Saharan caravan trade and later becomes West Africa's predominant religion.
Around 1000
Timbuktu is founded, near where the Niger River enters the Sahara, as a seasonal encampment for
Tuareg nomads. It later becomes a great centre of scholarship and wealth, home to 100,000 people.
Late 11th century
One of West Africa's empires of the Sahel is overthrown by armies crossing the Sahara as the Empire
of Ghana is destroyed by the Berber armies of the Almoravid Empire.
1147
The Almohads defeat the Almoravids and raze Marrakesh for good measure, only to later rebuild it as
their capital under Yacoub al-Mansour.
1240
Sundiata Keita founds the Empire of Mali with its capital at Niani. The empire rules the Sahel for two
centuries and presides over West Africa's golden age.
1351
Ibn Battuta leaves Fez to cross the Sahara, whereafter he travels extensively throughout the Empire
of Mali. His later book is one of the earliest accounts of life in the region.
