Question

the selection below describes what period of west-african history?

the west african empires of ghana, mali, and songhai existed from approximately 300 c.e. -1600 c.e., and were located south of the sahara desert. an extensive trading network was established across the desert (trans-saharan trade route) between these empires and the peoples of north africa (the mediterranean region). some of the major cities in west africa were: timbuktu, koumbi saleh, gao, djenne and taghaza. the major rivers in this region were, the senegal and the niger.

west-africa before the time of the trans-saharan trade.

west- africa at the height of the trans -atlantic slave trade.

west-africa before the trans -atlantic slave trade

west-africa before north africa relocated.

Explanation:

The text details West African empires (Ghana, Mali, Songhai) active 300 C.E.-1600 C.E., centered on Trans-Saharan trade. The Trans-Atlantic slave trade's height began later, around the 16th-19th centuries, so this period precedes that peak. Option 1 is wrong because the text explicitly notes Trans-Saharan trade existed. Option 2 is incorrect as this era is before the slave trade's height. Option 4 is irrelevant, as North Africa did not relocate in this context.

Answer:

West-Africa before the Trans -Atlantic slave trade