West African civilizations proceeds from the oldest to the most recent?

West African civilizations developed in a series of notable stages, starting with the ancient Ghana Empire (circa 300-1200 AD), which was known for its wealth and trade in gold. This was followed by the Mali Empire (circa 1235-1600 AD), which reached its peak under Mansa Musa, famous for his pilgrimage to Mecca and the promotion of education and culture. Subsequently, the Songhai Empire (circa 1464-1591 AD) emerged as one of the largest empires in African history, dominating trade and scholarship in cities like Timbuktu. These empires laid the foundations for later West African societies and contributed significantly to the region's history and culture.