What was the main source of wealth in West Africa from A.D. 400 to 1500?

The trans-Saharan salt and gold trade was the main source of wealth in West Africa from A.D. 400 to 1500 due to the region's rich deposits of gold, which were extremely valuable and sought after in both local and international markets. As gold became a significant commodity, trade routes developed across the Sahara Desert, connecting West Africa with North Africa and Europe, facilitating the exchange of gold for salt, which was scarce in the regions south of the Sahara.

Salt was essential for preserving food and maintaining health, making it a highly prized resource. The most influential empires during this period, such as Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, leveraged this trade to enhance their power and wealth. The successful control of these trade routes allowed these empires to grow economically and politically, effectively increasing their influence across a wide area.

While the control of gold and spice trade and dominance in agricultural production were important factors in various regions, they did not match the significance of the trans-Saharan trade in shaping the wealth and stability of West African empires during this timeframe. Trading silk and textiles also did occur, but it was generally secondary to the more lucrative and essential salt and gold trade that sustained these dynasties.