The Literary Refugees of Timbuktu: How a Group of Unlikely Allies Thwarted Al Qaeda and Organized One of the Most Brazen Cultural Heritage Evacuations Ever Attempted

In the face of Al Qaeda's control over Timbuktu, Mali, in 2012, an unprecedented cultural heritage evacuation successfully rescued 95% of the city's ancient manuscripts—hundreds of thousands of scientific, literary, and religious texts. This achievement, one of the most brazen cultural heritage evacuations ever attempted, highlights the effectiveness of cross-disciplinary collaboration among unlikely allies in preserving historical treasures during conflict. The study examines three critical phases: preparation, evacuation, and continued preservation, offering valuable insights for cultural heritage institutions worldwide.

Commisso, C. (2015). The Literary Refugees of Timbuktu: How a Group of Unlikely Allies Thwarted Al Qaeda and Organized One of the Most Brazen Cultural Heritage Evacuations Ever Attempted. Preservation, Digital Technology & Culture, 44(2), 69–77. https://doi.org/10.1515/pdtc-2015-0012