Mansa Musa, the Emperor of Mali was on his return from the journey to Makkah in 1324. He traveled through the burning heat of the Sahara desert; Surrounded by 8,000 soldiers plus as many as 60,000 courtiers and servants as well. Together 68,000 people drove 15,000 camels. Some camels were laden with gold and other held precious items like perfume, salt and food. This gigantic line marched across the Sahara desert to the newly conquered city of Gao.

Gao was located on the Niger River. From Gao Mansa Musa turned to another new city, Timbuktu. Unlike Gao, Timbuktu was surrounded by giant dunes creating a problem for the 68,000 travelers. In 1325 Musa entered the walls of Timbuktu. Musa soon discovered that Timbuktu was a city full of riches for nearly 800 years Timbuktu fascinated the people of the East and West for many reasons. Mansa Musa had traveled to Makkah, Gao, and Timbuktu for Mali of was remembered from it.

Sources:The Islamic Legacy of Timbuktu. http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/199506/the.islamic.legacy.of.timbuktu.htm. 8/26/07

                Mansa Musa.http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://civilization4.net/files/info-images/civilopedia/leaders/mansa_musa.png&imgrefurl=http://civilization4.net/3/78/378/&h=240&w=200&sz=87&hl=en&start=3&tbnid=lEAaTX5QHCjvdM:&tbnh=110&tbnw=92&prev=/images%3Fq%3DMansa%2BMusa%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den. 8/28/07