Ghana Empire

State · 793–1201 CE · at its largest around 793 CE

A Soninke empire in the western Sahel, also called Wagadu, which grew rich by controlling the trans-Saharan gold trade.

On its lands while it lasted

• Djenné-Djenno (c. 250 BCE – c. 1400 CE): One of the oldest known towns in sub-Saharan Africa, in the inland Niger delta of Mali; occupied from about the 3rd century BCE and abandoned by around 1400.
• Ghana Empire (c. 300–1200 CE): Soninke empire of the western Sahel, known to Arab writers as a land of gold, which grew rich by controlling trans-Saharan trade; its capital is usually identified with Koumbi Saleh.
• Koumbi Saleh (c. 793–1200 CE): Capital of Ghana Empire (793–1200).

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