Which commodity was the largest source of trade for West Africa along the trans-Saharan trade route?
silk
ivory
salt
porcelain
salt
The commodity that was the largest source of trade for West Africa along the trans-Saharan trade route was salt.
The largest source of trade for West Africa along the trans-Saharan trade route was salt.
To arrive at this answer, we can use a combination of knowledge about historical trade routes and logical reasoning. The trans-Saharan trade route was an important network of trade routes that connected West Africa to North Africa and the Mediterranean region. It facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultural influences between the two regions.
Considering the geographical and historical context, we can rule out silk and porcelain as potential answers. Silk and porcelain were more commonly traded along the Silk Road, which connected East Asia to the Mediterranean region. While there might have been some limited trade in these goods, they were not the dominant commodities along the trans-Saharan trade route.
Now we are left with two options: ivory and salt. Ivory, which comes from elephant tusks, was indeed an important commodity in West Africa, especially during the period of the trans-Saharan trade. However, while ivory was valuable and highly desired, it was not the largest source of trade for West Africa along this route.
Salt, on the other hand, was a highly prized and essential commodity in the region. It was used not only for seasoning food but also for preserving food, which was vital in the hot and arid climate of the Saharan desert. Salt was in high demand, and West Africa had abundant salt mines, particularly in the Sahara region, making it the largest source of trade in this context.
Therefore, the correct answer is salt.