22. With the advent of modern transport, the trans-Sahara trade route lost much of its importance. Only one commodity is routinely transported across the desert. Which commodity is this?
From Quiz Mali & Timbuktu: Legends of Gold Paved Streets
Answer:
Salt
In the heyday of the trans-Sahara trade route salt, copper and dates from the Sahara and northern Africa were exchanged with products from the savannah, such as slaves, livestock, iron tools, weapons, animal hides, cloth, clay pottery, woven grass products and food. From farther south came gold and kola nuts.
In modern times, the only goods that are routinely transported across the desert are slabs of rock salt brought from the Taoudenni mining centre in central Sahara 664 km (413 mi), north of Timbuktu.
In hot climates like that of Western Africa, many people who rely on a diet consisting mostly on grains and vegetables have to add salt to it. Many West African societies live without refrigeration, so salt is essential for drying and preserving fish and meat.
Salt production has been a major industry in the Sahara Desert since the 12th century.
The salt mine of Taoudenni is a dried out ancient seabed where solid blocks are hacked out of the salt-deposits. After they are removed from the mine, the blocks are cut into large slabs and transported with camels to Timbuktu. There they are purchased by local merchants who transport it down the river Niger to the market of Mopti. There the slabs are cut into smaller pieces and distributed to markets throughout West Africa.
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