Mali

A landlocked country in western Africa, one of the early African Sudanic states which rose to prominence in the 12th-13th centuries. It effectively took over control of the Bambuk goldfields from ancient Ghana - as well as their links with the trans-Saharan trade. By the 14th century its rulers controlled an extensive stretch of territory, including the Songhai country of the middle Niger, and Mali's ruler made the pilgrimage to Mecca. The empire declined in the late 15th century after its overthrow by Songhay. Mali was occupied in the Paleolithic and Neolithic, with remains including Asselar man, a human skeleton found north of Timbuktu in 1927, and rock paintings and carvings.

One of the early African Sudanic states, Mali rose to prominence in the 12th and 13th centuries, when it appears effectively to have taken over from ancient Ghana the control of the B ambuk goldfields and their links with the trans-Saharan trade. By the 14th century its rulers controlled an extensive stretch of territory including the Songhai country of the middle Niger, and Mali’s ruler made the pilgrimage to Mecca. The empire declined in the late 15th century.