Question

Tran Saharan trade linked ​

Answer 1

Trans-Saharan trade requires travel across the Sahara between sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa. While existing from prehistoric times, the peak of trade extended from the 8th century until the early 17th century. The Sahara once had a very different environment. In Libya and Algeria, from at least 7000 BC, there was pastoralism, the herding of sheep, goats, large settlements, and pottery. Cattle were introduced to the Central Sahara (Ahaggar) from 4000 to 3500 BC. Remarkable rock paintings (dated 3500 to 2500 BC) in places that are currently very dry, portray flora and fauna that are not present in the modern desert environment.

As a desert, Sahara is now a hostile expanse that separates the Mediterranean economy from the economy of the Niger basin. As Fernand Braudel points out, crossing such a zone, especially without mechanized transport, is worthwhile only when exceptional circumstances cause the expected gain to outweigh the cost and the danger. Trade was conducted by caravans of camels. According to Ibn Battuta, the explorer who accompanied one of the caravans, the average size per caravan was 1,000 camels, but some caravans were as large as 12,000.The caravans would be guided by highly-paid Berbers, who knew the desert and could ensure safe passage from their fellow desert nomads. The survival of a caravan was precarious and would rely on careful co-ordination. Runners would be sent ahead to oases so that water could be shipped out to the caravan when it was still several days away, as the caravans could not easily carry enough with them to make the full journey. In the mid-14th century, Ibn Battuta crossed the desert from Sijilmasa via the salt mines at Taghaza to the oasis of Oualata. A guide was sent ahead and water was brought on a journey of four days from Oualata to meet the caravan.

Culture and religion were also exchanged on the Trans-Saharan Trade Route. Many West African states eventually adopted Arabic writing and the religion of North Africa, resulting in them being absorbed into the Muslim world.

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Answer 2

Answer: Tran Saharan trade linked North Africa and the Mediterrean world with West Africa.

Explanation: The Trans-Saharan trade network is a network of trade routes that connect North Africa with sub-Saharan Africa across the Saharan deserts. Historically, this was the most active land-based trade network in Africa. While trade across the Sahara existed before recorded history, peak trade on the routes was between the 8th and 17th centuries.

The Saharan desert is the world's largest desert. Trans-Saharan trade began for the same reason as other global exchange networks– the desire for goods unavailable in buyers’ home regions. As time went on, improvements in commercial practices and technological innovation allowed the amount of trade to increase.

The Earliest Trade Across the Sahara Was in Gold and Salt

One of the earliest causes of the trade was the exchange of gold and salt. West Africa had large quantities of gold but lacked access to salt. In contrast, North Africa had abundant supplies of salt but scarce supplies of gold. Rulers in North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East wanted gold. And because salt is essential in sustaining human life, West Africans could not live without salt. This scarcity created an incentive to trade across the harsh desert environment. Over time, traders began moving wider varieties of goods across the routes.

Trans-Saharan trade rapidly increased after the introduction of camels from Central Asia to North Africa. The camel's biology was well suited for crossing long distances with little water while carrying heavy cargo.

Camel saddles were significant technological innovations that allowed merchants to utilize camels to move people and goods. Different African and Eurasia societies continually improved camel saddles to increase the weight camels could carry. Heavier loads meant merchants could transport more goods, which lowered costs and increased profits. Hope this was helpful