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Originally Posted by alvin  Where did I mention or imply the subject of "slavery"? |
You didn't specifically. What you did do was to suggest that but for nasty Westerners the world would of course be very familiar with the birlliant and enlightened people of Mali. I was pointing out through that example (slavery) that people are people and to take such a rosey or dismal view isn't useful or accurate. The trade took partners from many cultures - none are innocent or guiltless nor completely culpable.
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Originally Posted by alvin EVERY culture in the Old World has had some form of slavery(or indentured servitude) at some point in their history(that is NOT THE ISSUE). If I'm not mistaken Mali didn't "get rich"(it was ALREADY RICH in natural resources) primarily due to trading slaves but due to precious minerals and gems among other things. |
Timbuktu was a trading center - not sure it had much in the way of natural resources or that it didn't. But, it is true that the source of wealth was trade.
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Originally Posted by alvin Is it not FACT that when the Europeans became aware of the glory and riches that Timbuktoo posessed, expeditions were formed to search out these legendary treasures(GOLD being at the top of the list). |
I am not sure but would think it entirely probable. Had the residents of Timbuktu heard of riches next door I bet they'd have taken a look too.
People are people. The Euros of that era were an expansionist and colonizing culture. Take a map and a dart and pick a bygone era and you'll find it a common feature without regard to whether the ones who did it were European, Mongolian, (my faves ...)
the Vikings, Egyptian, Persian, Chinese, Aztec, Maya, Inca etc etc etc
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Originally Posted by alvin The reason that it is a "relatively" obscure culture is because knowledge of it has been supressed and hidden...tell the world's museums(and private collectors) to open up their storerooms where I'm sure a wealth of artifacts are there to inspect. |
Alvin - that's just plain silly. There is no conspiracy to supress the former glory of Timbuktu. The history of the place is fascinating and the discovery of these texts an amazing opportunity to learn more.