Google becomes home to priceless Timbuktu manuscripts

By Gertrude Kitongo, CNN

Updated 0755 GMT (1555 HKT) May 11, 2022

Timbuktu, in Mali, was once an important center of learning and religion. Now, more than 40,000 pages of precious manuscripts documenting centuries of its history and culture have been digitized and made available to the public.
Photos: Uploading history: How thousands of manuscripts from Timbuktu ended up on Google
Timbuktu, in Mali, was once an important center of learning and religion. Now, more than 40,000 pages of precious manuscripts documenting centuries of its history and culture have been digitized and made available to the public.
Hide Caption
1 of 13
Timbuktu is also home to some of West Africa's most important historical buildings. Pictured is the replastering of the Great Mosque of Djenné, an annual event that attracts hundreds of people from across the city.
Photos: Uploading history: How thousands of manuscripts from Timbuktu ended up on Google
Timbuktu is also home to some of West Africa's most important historical buildings. Pictured is the replastering of the Great Mosque of Djenné, an annual event that attracts hundreds of people from across the city.
Hide Caption
2 of 13
Boys stand on scaffolding during the replastering festival. The Great Mosque is one of a number of buildings in the city designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Photos: Uploading history: How thousands of manuscripts from Timbuktu ended up on Google
Boys stand on scaffolding during the replastering festival. The Great Mosque is one of a number of buildings in the city designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Hide Caption
3 of 13
Mali was home to early 14th century ruler Mansa Musa, who some historians argue was the wealthiest person to ever live. His riches came from gold, and he ruled over an empire in which the arts and science flourished. According to accounts from the time, Musa's 1324 pilgrimage to Mecca, in modern day Saudi Arabia, featured <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/1999/millennium/15/histories/content1.html" target="_blank">a convoy of 60,000 men (12,000 of whom were slaves) and 80 camels loaded with 300 pounds of gold each</a>.
Photos: Uploading history: How thousands of manuscripts from Timbuktu ended up on Google
Mali was home to early 14th century ruler Mansa Musa, who some historians argue was the wealthiest person to ever live. His riches came from gold, and he ruled over an empire in which the arts and science flourished. According to accounts from the time, Musa's 1324 pilgrimage to Mecca, in modern day Saudi Arabia, featured a convoy of 60,000 men (12,000 of whom were slaves) and 80 camels loaded with 300 pounds of gold each.
Hide Caption
4 of 13