Timbuktu manuscripts reveal advanced African astronomy
Ancient Timbuktu manuscripts reveal medieval African scholars possessed advanced astronomical knowledge, challenging Eurocentric narratives and highlighting Africa's significant scientific contributions.
Over 700,000 ancient Timbuktu manuscripts from Mali showcase sophisticated astronomical knowledge in medieval Africa. Dating from the 13th to 16th centuries, these texts from the Mali and Songhai Empires detail calculations for prayer times, lunar calendars, and celestial observations like eclipses. Scholars like Ahmad Baba al-Massufi documented star catalogs, blending local traditions with Islamic astronomy.
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