. >> going to this town is like going tootimbuktu. these are important citiessof islam.his is an important moment. reporter: behind dooos,,the heritage has been out of the western public's reach. phhs an is one of the ast ggardians of these islamic panuscripts. this has lost its cover. we don't know how old it is. -preporter: tte wealth of knowledge, judicial and religious, lies in these cardbbard boxes. the heritage, under threat, has man's courage. >>>the amous unesco promised us funds, the promises onny bind those consistent to them. it is a shame. this is the oldest koran in% wewestern africa. reporter: unesco's uncapped promises anger himm despite the tourists' return, he worried about the region. >> like the candles i buun to provide life to others, wwen there wws a mess exile, all of the families left, exxept those who really cared. aftee thiso look heritage no matter what. they need to be rewarded. if not, they will become like the taliban. the used to be wise, but they left the ablet. they took out rifles because they thoughh riiles had more to offer.% the battl