Who was the ancient empire and the main city was Timbuktu?

The ancient empire associated with Timbuktu is the Mali Empire, which flourished from the 13th to the 16th centuries in West Africa. Timbuktu served as a vital center for trade, culture, and education, particularly known for its scholarly institutions like the University of Sankore. The empire was renowned for its wealth, particularly in gold, and its influence on the trans-Saharan trade routes.