Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

LibertyLover

(4,788 posts)
15. Not only is it a real place
Mon May 7, 2012, 09:04 AM
May 2012

but it is an amazing repository of old books. It was a place of learning for many years. Some of the architecture is stunning. Here is a Wikipedia entry on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timbuktu

I can't remember if it was a "60 Minutes" program or a National Geographic one I saw on it several years ago, but it was sad. Many of the libraries of books are rotting away because their custodians cannot afford to preserve them.

all that religious fanatics do is destroy. provis99 May 2012 #1
I didn't realize there was an actual place called Timbuktu! Marrah_G May 2012 #2
I didn't realize those folks kept 'saints' mythes may3rd May 2012 #3
It's their own cult, actually - the closer the denomination the worse the infighting saras May 2012 #7
you might find this interesting grantcart May 2012 #12
Oh now that is cool!!!!!!!!!!! Marrah_G May 2012 #14
Not only is it a real place LibertyLover May 2012 #15
What a gem! Marrah_G May 2012 #16
you might find this interesting grantcart May 2012 #17
That is an amazing post LibertyLover May 2012 #18
Its the Buddhas of Bamiyan all over again. riderinthestorm May 2012 #4
The usual from fundys... Archae May 2012 #5
eerily similiar to the beginnings of the Taliban DCBob May 2012 #6
And the blowing up of the giant Buddhas. sakabatou May 2012 #22
Timbuktu was a spectacular town cosmicone May 2012 #8
What isn't contrary to Islam? demosincebirth May 2012 #9
Wanton destruction it seems n/t 4th law of robotics May 2012 #20
To me, destroying a UNESCO site is the closest thing that exists to sacrilege! Odin2005 May 2012 #10
A friend and I watched "Rape of Europa" on PBS last year closeupready May 2012 #11
For more background on the importance of Timbuktu grantcart May 2012 #13
The key to the Wealth of Timbuktu was its trade with Cathage happyslug May 2012 #19
Interesting grantcart May 2012 #21
It is on the Niger River, the most important river in West Africa, Its delta is Nigeria. happyslug May 2012 #23
Ok that was helpful grantcart May 2012 #24
The only question will be one simple "What is the relationship between wars and geography?" happyslug May 2012 #25
Will we be able to use Toynbee's "Challenge/Response Theory of History" as a source? grantcart May 2012 #26
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Mali Islamist militants '...»Reply #15