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Origin: West Africa - Particularly the Ghana, Mali, and Songhai Empires. Importance: Primary medium of exchange, a symbol of wealth, and vital to the economies of African and Mediterranean societies.

Origin: Sahara Desert - Especially from places like Taghaza and Taoudenni in present-day Mali. Importance: Essential for preserving food, seasoning, and as a dietary supplement, making it as valuable as gold in some instances.

Origin: Sub-Saharan Africa. Importance: Used as labor for the Islamic societies in the North, in agriculture, mining, and as domestic servants.

Origin: Central and West African forests. Importance: Valued for its beauty and ease of carving, used in art and as a luxury item in Eurasia.

Origin: Sub-Saharan Africa, especially the region around the Sahel. Importance: Used in the production of tools, weapons, and as adornment, which was vital for both practical and decorative purposes.

Origin: Northern Africa and the Middle East. Importance: High-quality textiles were demanded throughout the Sahara for clothing and trade.

Origin: Mediterranean, Middle East. Importance: Used as currency and adornment, beads were an integral part of West African dress and religious practices.

Origin: North Africa and the Middle East. Importance: Horses played a critical role in warfare and were a symbol of power and prestige in the empires of West Africa.

Origin: The Islamic World. Importance: The spread of knowledge and Islamic scholarship was greatly facilitated by the trade of books and manuscripts, including Qur'ans, across the Sahara.