Lesson 7: Trekking to Timbuktu: Restoring the Past (Teacher Version)
Today, many of the buildings of the ancient city of Timbuktu are crumbing and the streets are covered with blowing sand from the ever-expanding desert. Fragile manuscripts, dating back to days when the city was a major center of Islamic scholarship, are decomposing. But there is hope. Organizations such as UNESCO are mounting campaigns to save the city and restore its ancient heritage.
Guiding Questions
What environmental factors threaten Timbuktu?
What measures are being taken to restore the mosques?
How are the ancient manuscripts being preserved?
Why does Timbuktu remain important to the world today?
Learning Objectives
Examine the environmental conditions that presently threaten Timbuktu.
Evaluate the efforts being taken to restore the ancient mosques.
Evaluate the efforts being taken to restore the ancient manuscripts.
Evaluate the short and long-term contributions of Timbuktu and the kingdoms of the era.