Captured by the Songhai emperor Sonni 'Ali in 1468, it developed into Mali's most important trading center during the 16th century.

UNESCO: Culture

Most of the manuscripts are in Arabic and are from the 14th to 16th Centuries, but many are written in local languages, including Songhai, Tamashek and Bambara.

BBC: Timbuktu��s treasure trove of African history