In 2012, ​tens of ​thousands of ​artefacts from the golden age of Timbuktu were at risk in Mali’s civil war. This exclusive extract describes the race to save them​ from the flames – and how lethal attacks could still threaten the town’s treasures

Source: ‘Jihadists were going to burn it all’: the amazing story of Timbuktu’s book smugglers | World news | The Guardian