Final answer:
Gold and salt were the most significant commodities traded along the historic trade routes, with salt being indispensable for health and food preservation. Other important trade items included ivory, textiles, and precious stones, diversifying the commerce of medieval trading empires.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regarding the commodities that became famous along trade routes, the most famous were gold and salt. These commodities played significant roles in the trade exchanges that took place in medieval times, especially within trans-Saharan trade. Salt was essential for human health and the preservation of foods, particularly in an era without refrigeration technology, thus making it as valuable as gold. Over time, additional valuable commodities came to be exchanged, such as ivory, textiles, and copper. The context given indicates that salt was second only to gold in value and significance in medieval Africa's trade cycles.
Furthermore, the gold-rich region of West Africa was known for its production and trade with the Mediterranean and beyond, influencing the wealth and power of empires such as Mali. In conjunction with salt, other items such as ivory, precious stones, and textiles were also prominently traded, shaping a diverse and large-scale trade network that linked various continents and cultures over time.
Given the details provided and historical context, the correct answer to the question regarding the famous commodity traded along these routes is salt, along with other items such as gold, ivory, and textiles.