The Mausoleum of the Samanids (a ruling dynasty) was built in the 9th or 10th Century. Inside are the tombs of many of the rulers of that dynasty.

The entire building is brick, with the exception of a few wood braces that can be seen protruding from the dome. The intricate patterns, both inside and out, were created solely by the placement of the bricks. What appears to be patterns of color in this photo results from the shadows cast by the bricks and the patterns molded into some of the bricks. Centuries of dust blowing in from the desert has raised the ground level about four feet above where it was when the mausoleum was built.