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The hidden treasures of Timbuktu - Elizabeth Cox

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TEDEd Animation

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On the edge of the vast Sahara desert, citizens snuck out of the city of Timbuktu and took to the wilderness. They buried chests in the desert sand, hid them in caves, and sealed them in secret rooms. Inside these chests was a treasure more valuable than gold: the city’s ancient books. Why were they hiding these priceless manuscripts? Elizabeth Cox digs into the literary tradition of Timbuktu.

What threat did the scholars and their libraries pose for the Moroccan king?

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Elizabeth Cox
  • Director Juliana Constantino
  • Narrator Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Storyboard Artist Alexandre Braga, Juliana Constantino
  • Animator Alexandre Braga, Natália Andrade
  • Art Director Alexandre Braga
  • Sound Designer André Aires
  • Music André Aires
  • AIM Creative Studios Producer Tiago Ribeiro
  • Special Thanks Christie Simpson
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal, Elizabeth Cox
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott

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