Astronomy of Timbuktu by Rodney Thebe Medupe
ISBN: 9780521169769
Cambridge University Press l 30 August 2008
Paperback l 97 pages
African people have always been interested in the stars, moon, planets and the sun. Astronomy of Timbuktu illustrates the mathematics, astronomy and geography used in Africa centuries ago, before the colonisation of the continent by Europeans. The book takes as its starting point the theories and discoveries that are explained by African Muslim scholars in the ancient manuscripts of Timbuktu. The history of Timbuktu and the surrounding area is revealed through specific topics covered by the astronomy and mathematics found in these manuscripts, with special focus on the famous scholars of Timbuktu.