Question

source: moroccan diplomat leo africanus describing timbuktu, from the history and description of africa, 1526. all its houses are... cottages, built of mud and covered with thatch. however, there is a most stately mosque to be seen, whose walls are made of stone and lime, and a princely palace also constructed by the highly skilled craftsmen of granada. here there are many shops of artisans and merchants, especially of those who weave linen and cotton, and here barbary muslim north african merchants bring european cloth. the inhabitants, and especially resident aliens, are exceedingly rich, since the present king married both of his daughters to rich merchants. there are many wells, containing sweet water. whenever the niger river overflows, they carry the water into town by means of sluices. this region yields great quantities of grain, cattle, milk, and butter, but salt is very scarce here, for it is brought here by land from tegaza, which is five hundred miles away. the rich king of timbuktu has many plates and scepters of gold, some of which weigh 1,300 pounds, and he keeps a magnificent and well - furnished court. when he travels anywhere, he rides upon a camel which is led by some of his noblemen. here are great numbers of islamic religious teachers, judges, scholars and other learned. 14 multiple choice 1 point given leo africanuss background as a muslim educated in north africa, which bias may have influenced his portrayal of timbuktu? an overemphasis on european trade connections a disregard for african political structures a focus on the citys islamic culture and learning a christian critique of african religious practices 15 multiple choice 1 point historians could most effectively use leo africanuss account to support an argument that: the islamic world facilitated cultural and economic links between north and west africa sub - saharan africa had minimal involvement in global commerce before european arrival timbuktus prosperity depended entirely on european trade muslim scholars rejected the use of written texts in africa leo africanuss description of timbuktu as both prosperous and scholarly supports which broader interpretation of west african societies? they were isolated and undeveloped they lacked literacy and centralized states they were dominated by european settlers they were integrated into trans - saharan trade and islamic learning networks

Explanation:

1. Leo Africanus' description of Timbuktu as prosperous and scholarly shows it was integrated into trade and learning networks. The presence of merchants, artisans, and Islamic scholars indicates connections to trans - Saharan trade and Islamic learning. So, for the first question, this interpretation supports the idea that West African societies were integrated into trans - Saharan trade and Islamic learning networks.
2. As a Muslim educated in North Africa, Leo Africanus may have a bias towards focusing on the city's Islamic culture and learning. His background would make him more attuned to and likely to emphasize these aspects.
3. His account can be used by historians to support the argument that the Islamic world facilitated cultural and economic links between North and West Africa, as it describes the presence of Islamic scholars, merchants, and the influence of Islamic culture in Timbuktu.

Answer:

1. They were integrated into trans - Saharan trade and Islamic learning networks.
2. A focus on the city's Islamic culture and learning.
3. The Islamic world facilitated cultural and economic links between North and West Africa.