Timbuktu Renaissance

100,000 ancient manuscripts have been kept hidden and protected in and around Timbuktu for centuries. Now, in what is being described as a modern day renaissance, Malians (in cooperation with South African, Libyan, and African American scholars)are doing what they can to preserve these priceless works.

http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/witness/2009/01/20091482854652890.html