Efforts to restore the ancient monuments of historic Timbuktu have been successful after several years of violent strife in the region. The reconstruction of the city’s monuments is both a practical and symbolic victory, reestablishing physical heritage, and marking the end of a period of cultural destruction. The deliberate damage to Timbuktu’s cultural heritage sites as caused by invading militias was extensive; three years ago ancient monuments and mausoleums were razed to rubble, libraries were burned, and irreplaceable historic manuscripts were destroyed. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) and local stonemasons have now rebuilt 14 mausoleums. As reported by The Guardian, the joint local and international project has restored tombs and shrines of the Sufi saints
