Bibliothèque Nationale de FranceDuring the medieval period, between the 8th to 16th centuries, West Africa was flush with vast resources and gold. Much of the gold and ivory medieval Europeans used to cast religious relics, statues, and jewelry came directly from West Africa. Caravans of Gold, Fragments in Time: Art, Culture, and Exchange Across Medieval Saharan Africa features artifacts from West and North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. These items highlight the economic hubs that were the African kingdoms, but also shows how those kingdoms influenced Europe and vice versa. It’s an example of how gold from West Africa was being used widely across the Mediterranean and Europe, says Berzock.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 16, 2019 17:07 UTC