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2,000 Years Ago in West Africa

Trans-Sahara trade with Morocco to the north and Sudan and Egypt to the east, expands with camels replacing horses as the main draft animal. The camel was introduced from West Asia, where it was domesticated some time before 1 AD.

Camels have the reputation of being bad-tempered and obstinate creatures who spit and kick. In reality, they tend to be good-tempered, patient and intelligent. The moaning and bawling sound they make when they're loaded up and have to rise to their feet is like the grunting and heavy breathing of a weight-lifter in action, not a sign of displeasure at having to do some work. A camel's ears are lined with fur to filter out blowing sand and dust, while its eyes are protected by a double row of long curly eyelashes and thick bushy eyebrows shield the eyes from the desert sun.

Powerful trading cities begin to develop along the trade routes, which form the ancestors of the later kingdoms of Mali and Ghana.

Central Saharan trade routes are dominated by the semi- nomadic Garamantes from their capital of Garama (modern Jerma), a major trading centre in the middle of the Sahara. With camels, which are better adapted for life in the desert than horses, and with detailed knowledge of where water and food could be found, the Garamantes were experts at crossing the desert, while many other people, such as Romans and Greeks feared the Sahara and few ever crossed it.

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