On the edge of the vast Sahara desert, citizens snuck out of the city of Timbuktu and took to the wilderness. They buried chests in the desert sand, hid them in caves, and sealed them in secret rooms. Inside these chests was a treasure more valuable than gold: the city's ancient books. Why were they hiding these priceless manuscripts? Elizabeth Cox digs into the literary tradition of Timbuktu. [Directed by AIM Creative Studios, narrated by Bethany Cutmore-Scott, music by André Aires].

Elizabeth Cox: The hidden treasures of Timbuktu

The hidden treasures of Timbuktu

In 1591, the Moroccan conquest disrupted Timbuktu's scholarly pursuits, imprisoning scholars and confiscating their libraries.

Abdel Kader Haidara's efforts to retrieve hidden manuscripts underscore a relentless pursuit to preserve Timbuktu's scholarly heritage.

Timbuktu's ancient manuscripts, hidden from war and theft for centuries, symbolize resilience and the enduring quest for knowledge.