c. 3rd century – c. 11th century★★★★★
The Soninke Ghana Empire (Wagadu) flourished in what is now Mauritania and Mali, growing rich from control of the trans-Saharan gold and salt trade.
DynastyEconomy· Mauritania, Mali
c. 8th century – c. 10th century★★★★★
Many Maya cities of the southern lowlands are gradually abandoned, possibly due to drought, warfare and political crisis.
Politics· Guatemala, Mexico
c. 819 – 999★★★★★
The Persian Samanid dynasty rules Central Asia and Khorasan, making Bukhara and Samarkand cultural and trade centres on the Silk Road.
DynastyCultureEconomy· Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan