Topic: Timbuktu: a repository of ancient manuscripts
Martha (but not Stewart)
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 12335
posted 07 August 2007 05:59 AM
From the NY Times, August 7, 2007: "Timbuktu was home to the University of Sankore, which at its height had 25,000 scholars. An army of scribes, gifted in calligraphy, earned their living copying the manuscripts brought by travelers. Prominent families added those copies to their own libraries. As a result, Timbuktu became a repository of an extensive and eclectic collection of manuscripts."
posted 07 August 2007 01:36 PM
Thank you for the thread. I've read about this before and find it most welcome. Imagine - words and culture beyond the bounds of the silly and incorrect history of a western world absorbed in itself.
From: Port Moody, B.C. | Registered: Jun 2007
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Agent 204
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4668
posted 07 August 2007 05:30 PM
There's an important lesson here:
quote:“I am a historian,” Mr. Haïdara said. “I know from my research that great cities seldom get a second chance. Yet here we have a second chance because we held on to our past.”
Given how badly many of this country's museums are hurting for cash, our politicians need to be reminded of this.
[ 07 August 2007: Message edited by: Agent 204 ]
From: home of the Guess Who | Registered: Nov 2003
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munroe
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 14227
posted 07 August 2007 05:35 PM
Damn right, Agent, but may I add archives to museums.
From: Port Moody, B.C. | Registered: Jun 2007
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Email this thread to someone!
posted 07 August 2007 05:59 AM
