European Mapping, Exploration, and Knowledge of Saharan Trade Routes (c. 14th–19th centuries)

1. Catalan Atlas depicts Saharan caravans and Mali

   Jan 1, 1375Labels: Catalan Atlas, Mali Empire

   • Gilder Lehrman

2. Portuguese begin sustained exploration of West Africa

   Jan 1, 1445Labels: Portuguese voyages, West African

   • Dias bio

3. Leo Africanus completes manuscript describing Africa

   Jan 1, 1526Labels: Leo Africanus, North Africa

   • Description Africa

4. Ramusio publishes Leo Africanus’s work in Venice

   Jan 1, 1550Labels: Giovanni Ramusio, Delle navigationi

   • Description Africa

5. De L’Isle issues map synthesizing “Nigritie” knowledge

   Jan 1, 1707Labels: Guillaume de, Nigritie map

   • UIUC map

6. Bowen publishes “Negroland” map for British readers

   Jan 1, 1747Labels: Emanuel Bowen, Negroland map

   • LOC map

7. African Association founded to find Niger and Timbuktu

   Jun 9, 1788Labels: African Association, Timbuktu search

   • African Assoc

8. Mungo Park publishes Niger River travel narrative

   Jan 1, 1799Labels: Mungo Park, Niger River

   • Christie lot

9. Laing reaches Timbuktu via trans-Saharan crossing

   Aug 18, 1826Labels: Alexander Laing, Timbuktu arrival

   • Britannica

10. Caillié reaches Timbuktu and returns alive to Europe

    Apr 20, 1828Labels: Ren Cailli, Timbuktu visit

    • Britannica

11. Caillié publishes his Timbuktu travel narrative

    Jan 1, 1830Labels: Cailli publication, Travel narrative

    • Britannica

12. Barth publishes major account including Timbuktu and routes

    Jan 1, 1858Labels: Heinrich Barth, Central Africa

    • CUP record