In VI-III ages B.C. in the delta of Murgap river the new capital of Selevkids’ empire - Antiohiya Margianskya or Selevkiya Gyaur-kala which was surrounded with the heavy fortification of extension 250 km has been built up under Antioha Soter’s command.
A unique construction at the territory of Mary velayat is the cave town Ekedeshik (opposite to the settlement Tagtabazar). Several tens of the caves which have been cut down in the thickness of sandstone, stretch along the right bank of Murgap river.
The most typical samples of early medieval Turkmen architecture are the goffered castles - keshki of Merv Great Kyz-gala and Small Kyz-gala, as well as Great and Small Nagim-kala (VI-VII centuries).
One of the most earlist mosques in our country is mosque Shir-Kabir (IX-X centuries, graveyard Mashad in Dahistan) the architectural style of which is based on the strict cubic proportions.
In VII-VIII centuries the erection of military fortresses-ribats (the Arabic, "boundary fortification, the fortified caravanserai") became traditional and in IX-X centuries they were used as fortifications at the border with nomads. This is Dahistan (Mashat-Misrian), Ferava (Parau), Mehne (Meana), Kufen (Chugundor, nearby st. Artyk), Tahiriya (caravanserai Dayahatyn).
Since XI century the caravanserais, constructed at the distance of 25-30 km along the whole caravan route were distinguished by the especial type of architecture. The caravanserai Dayahatyn (Bayhatyn, 170 km. in the north - west to Turkmenabat is considered as the most significant and well kept.