Almoravids Capture Awdaghust at the Sahara's Southern Edge

1058

Having already seized Sijilmasa in the north, the Almoravids struck south to capture Awdaghust, the key trading town at the Sahara's opposite margin. With both termini of the trans-Saharan gold route now in their hands, the Almoravid movement controlled the most lucrative overland trade corridor in the medieval world. Gold, salt, and slaves moved under their authority; Islam traveled with the caravans.