VIIIᵉ siècle – VIIIᵉ siècle
Ifriqiya and the Saharan routes
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
‘Abd al-Rahmān ibn Habib governed Ifriqiya from 747 to 755 and supported the infrastructure of the Sudan trade. He ordered wells to be dug along trails running from the oases of southern Morocco toward the Sudan, improving the viability of long-distance desert commerce. The final well was said to lie about sixteen days’ travel from Wadi Dar‘a.
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Le récit
‘Abd al-Rahmān ibn Habib served as governor of Ifriqiya from 747 to 755. In this capacity, he addressed a practical obstacle of trans-Saharan commerce: the scarcity of dependable water along the desert trails. His policy focused on strengthening the routes connecting the oases of southern Morocco with the Sudan.
He ordered wells to be dug along these trails, creating a chain of water points for merchants and travelers. The pages state that the last of the wells stood about sixteen days’ travel from Wadi Dar‘a. Although the full route is not described, the measure indicates direct administrative support for the regular movement of goods across the Sahara.
The construction of wells represents a shift from episodic raiding toward the encouragement of sustained commerce. It also shows how political authorities could support trade without directly controlling every caravan. The initiative was part of a broader effort to make Sudanese gold accessible to North African markets.
VIIIᵉ siècle – VIIIᵉ siècle
Ifriqiya and the Saharan routes
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
‘Abd al-Rahmān ibn Habib governed Ifriqiya from 747 to 755 and supported the infrastructure of the Sudan trade. He ordered wells to be dug along trails running from the oases of southern Morocco toward the Sudan, improving the viability of long-distance desert commerce. The final well was said to lie about sixteen days’ travel from Wadi Dar‘a.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
‘Abd al-Rahmān ibn Habib served as governor of Ifriqiya from 747 to 755. In this capacity, he addressed a practical obstacle of trans-Saharan commerce: the scarcity of dependable water along the desert trails. His policy focused on strengthening the routes connecting the oases of southern Morocco with the Sudan.
He ordered wells to be dug along these trails, creating a chain of water points for merchants and travelers. The pages state that the last of the wells stood about sixteen days’ travel from Wadi Dar‘a. Although the full route is not described, the measure indicates direct administrative support for the regular movement of goods across the Sahara.
The construction of wells represents a shift from episodic raiding toward the encouragement of sustained commerce. It also shows how political authorities could support trade without directly controlling every caravan. The initiative was part of a broader effort to make Sudanese gold accessible to North African markets.