How long did ancient mali last?

Answer 1

Ancient Mali, particularly during the height of the Mali Empire, lasted from around the 13th century to the late 16th century. It began to rise around 1235 with the reign of Sundiata Keita and became a dominant power in West Africa, especially known for its wealth and centers of learning like Timbuktu. The empire gradually declined in the late 16th century due to internal strife and external pressures, eventually giving way to smaller successor states. Overall, the influential period of the Mali Empire spanned approximately 300 years.