The best explanation for the relative significance of the trans-Saharan and Indian Ocean trade routes is:
The routes were equally significant—each in its own way—as they both contributed to significant cultural developments along the routes, and worth cannot be measured simply by the goods that were traded.
This response acknowledges the unique contributions of both trade routes to cultural exchange, economic development, and the interconnectedness of various regions. Each trade route facilitated different types of exchanges and interactions that shaped the societies involved.