Saharan trade routes

Saharan trade routes were ancient pathways through the Sahara Desert that facilitated commerce between North Africa and sub-Saharan societies. Merchants traded valuable goods such as gold, salt, textiles, and enslaved people. Key cities like Timbuktu and Marrakech emerged as cultural and economic hubs. Caravans, often using camels, traveled long distances across harsh terrain, connecting diverse cultures and fostering the exchange of ideas, religion, and technology. These routes significantly influenced the development of African kingdoms and contributed to the global trade networks that shaped the medieval world.