The Bibi-Khanym Mosque, built by Timur in the memory of his wife, is one of the most important monuments in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The mosque played a crucial role for the development of Islamic architecture, exercising an important influence in the entire region, from the Mediterranean to the Indian subcontinent.

Wracked by the elements, earthquakes & plundering of its rich building materials, the shell of one of the 15th century's greatest mosques of the Islamic world has morphed into the images above thanks to reconstruction efforts that began in 1974.

This photo series constitutes part of the author's journey through Uzbekistan & Kyrgyzstan.