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# City of Timbuktu
- URL: https://www.cascadepbs.org/show/africas-great-civilizations/extras/africas-great-civilizations-city-timbuktu-africas-great-civilizations/
- Published: 2026-01-16T20:05:19.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-03T15:31:05.000Z
- Description: The heart of ancient Timbuktu’s intellectual life was its libraries.
- Author: Cascade PBS Staff
- Tags: Africa's Great Civilizations, #ZZZ_Show_5cf2e9f1-937c-4732-9df7-3909fd8e98ab, #v1.7, #ZZZ_Extra_eaa72093-6141-4824-a54d-db25b078d611, #extra

The heart of Timbuktu’s intellectual life was its libraries. Between the 14th and the 17th centuries, they acquired hundreds of thousands of books, mostly written by African authors working in the city. Learn more in Africa's Great Civilizations with Henry Louis Gates, Jr., premiering at 9/8c February 27 on PBS.