Ghana Empire Gold Trade

Timeline

1. c. 800–950Wangara gold-mining region · MaliThe king of Ghana claimed sovereignty over the southern gold mines, forbade subjects from exporting gold on their own, and required caravans to pay gold and goods taxes to the crown before heading north, forming a monopolistic trade order centered on Kumbi Saleh.
2. c. 950–1040Walata · MauritaniaMuslim merchants from the West African Maghreb and the Sahara established trading stations at Walata, Awdaghast, and elsewhere, carrying salt blocks south by camel to exchange for gold dust and slaves, while Dyula merchants penetrated the southern mining districts to organize gold extraction and transport.
3. 1041–1050Kumbi Saleh · MauritaniaIn the 1040s the Ghana Empire's gold trade reached its height; in the twin-city layout of Kumbi Saleh the Muslim merchant quarter and the royal quarter had clearly divided roles, with large quantities of gold dust shipped each year along the Taghaza salt road to Fez and Cairo, and the empire funding cavalry and court expenses through gold taxes.
4. c. 1055–1100Awdaghast · MauritaniaThe Almoravid movement advanced south from Mauritania, gradually controlling nodes of the Sahara trade routes; the Ghana Empire's grip on northern routes weakened, and the center of gravity of the gold trade began shifting toward the Mali region, laying groundwork for the later rise of the Mali Empire.