1/7This March 16, 2004 photo shows an unidentified worker looking after some of the 20,000 preserved ancient Islamic manuscripts which rest in air-conditioned rooms at the Ahmed Baba Institute in Timbuktu, Mali.
Timbuktu's mayor said Islamists fleeing the town set fire to a library housing thousands of historic manuscripts. Officials say they do not yet know the extent of the damage.
2/7This March 16, 2004 shows some of the 20,000 preserved ancient Islamic manuscripts which rest in air-conditioned rooms are displayed at the Ahmed Baba Institute in Timbuktu, Mali.
Timbuktu's mayor said Islamists fleeing the town set fire to a library housing thousands of historic manuscripts. Officials say they do not yet know the extent of the damage.
3/7This March 16, 2004 shows Alhousseini Ould Alfadrou, 16, singing verses from crumbling ancient Islamic manuscripts in a mud-walled house in Timbuktu, Mali.
Timbuktu's mayor said Islamists fleeing the town set fire to a library housing thousands of historic manuscripts. Officials say they do not yet know the extent of the damage.
4/7This May 1, 2012 photo shows men work near one of Timburktu's historic mud mosques.
Timbuktu's mayor said Islamists fleeing the town set fire to a library housing thousands of historic manuscripts. Officials say they do not yet know the extent of the damage.
5/7This April 11, 2012 photo shows people walking past the Sankore Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Timbuktu, Mali.
Timbuktu's mayor said Islamists fleeing the town set fire to a library housing thousands of historic manuscripts. Officials say they do not yet know the extent of the damage.
6/7This April 15, 2012 shows town notables and two leaders of the Tuareg separatist NMLA in front of Sankore Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Timbuktu, Mali.
Timbuktu's mayor said Islamists fleeing the town set fire to a library housing thousands of historic manuscripts. Officials say they do not yet know the extent of the damage.
7/7This May 1, 2012 photo shows a woman in front of a traditionally decorated door in Timbuktu, Mali.
Timbuktu's mayor said Islamists fleeing the town set fire to a library housing thousands of historic manuscripts. Officials say they do not yet know the extent of the damage.
