Mar 6, 2019 · Salt from the Sahara desert was one of the major trade goods of ancient West Africa where very little naturally occurring deposits of the mineral could be found.

Jul 24, 2024 · The salt mines in Africa were typically cut out of ancient seabeds, vast empty sandy regions that stretched in every direction. Hundreds of men worked as indentured slaves, chipping away at the ground beneath the Earth in musty, salt-choked caves.

Taghaza (Arabic: تاغزة) (also Teghaza) is an abandoned salt-mining centre located in a salt pan in the desert region of northern Mali. It was an important source of rock salt for West Africa up to the end of the 16th century when it was abandoned and replaced by the salt-pan at Taoudenni which lies 150 km (93 mi) to the southeast.

Jun 14, 2017 · The salt mines located in Lake Afar, which forms part of the depression, stretch some 60,000 square kilometers and go up to 300 feet below sea level. It is in this sun-baked crust that the salt trade has thrived, passed over from generation to generation for centuries.

Jun 25, 2024 · The ability to access salt mines and control the trade of salt contributed to the wealth and power of West African civilizations. Overall, salt was an important resource in West Africa due to its role in food preservation, flavor enhancement, storage, and its economic and cultural significance.

This article explores the top 10 salt-producing countries in Africa, providing an in-depth look at each country’s production methods, key production regions, and the economic impact of their salt industries.

Aug 8, 2023 · The Salt Trade of Ancient West Africa stands as a remarkable testament to the ingenuity and resilience of the people of the region. For centuries, the trade of this essential mineral not only fueled economic growth but also served as a catalyst for cultural exchange and societal development.

Mar 17, 2025 · The two most famous salt mines in West Africa were Taghaza and Taoudenni, located in what is now Mali. These salt mines were in the middle of the Sahara, far from any vegetation or fresh water.

Apr 28, 2019 · In sub-Saharan West Africa, gold was abundant, and this was exchanged for salt brought by caravans arriving from the north. The salt transported by these caravans was obtained from salt mines in the Sahara Desert. In certain areas, such as Taghaza and Taoudenni, salt deposits can be found not far beneath the surface of the desert.

controlled the salt mines at Awlil and Taghaza and transportation through trade cities like Audaghost, began to challenge the Ghana Empire ʹs monopoly of the trade.