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Göbekli Tepe just doesn’t make sense. The neolithic&nbsp;archaeological ruins were first uncovered in the '60s, but their significance wasn’t truly realized until 1994. The site&nbsp;is&nbsp;located in southeastern Turkey -&nbsp;although it predates the establishment of the country by a significant amount of time. In fact, Göbekli Tepe is so old&nbsp;and complex&nbsp;that it is <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.ranker.com/list/archaeology-that-changed-history/nathan-gibson">rewriting our understanding</a> of not just Turkish history, but the entire history of humanity. Based on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.ranker.com/list/archaeological-misunderstandings-and-mistakes/stephanroget">everything we know</a> about how modern&nbsp;civilization got its start, Göbekli Tepe should not exist. However, exist it does, and&nbsp;has for nearly 12,000 years.Archaeological study of Göbekli Tepe has been going on for quite some time - even though the modern political climate in Turkey has made matters slightly more difficult. Some sections are even in the process of being restored. The site has become a tourist attraction and a source of local pride, and there are&nbsp;plenty of good reasons for that. Göbekli Tepe is, after all, the oldest site of significance created by human beings, and that makes it one of the most important <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.ranker.com/list/facts-about-peat-bog-bodies/laura-allan">archaeological discoveries</a> ever made.

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This Archaeological Site Is Rewriting Our Entire Understanding Of Human History

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15 Insane Facts About Göbekli Tepe That Everyone Should Know

Stephan Roget

People have been living all around the world for literally thousands of years. Here are some of the most interesting things human beings have ever done (that we know about).

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The 6th century boasted many exceptional&nbsp;events, people, and historical contributions. The exception, however, was&nbsp;one year that was particularly burdened with a level of tragedy and strife&nbsp;most historians say surpassed any other moment in history: 536 CE. This was the worst part of the Dark Ages.&nbsp;

Calling the medieval period the &quot;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/reasons-dark-ages-were-not-dark/melissa-sartore" target="_blank">Dark Ages</a>&quot; may seem to be a&nbsp;bit of an exaggeration to the period overall, but scientists and historians recently determined the worst time to be alive was, in fact, during one of these so-called dark years. Across the globe, from Europe to Asia to South America, civilization stalled as people dealt with hardships brought on by horrific natural events.

Plagues, famines, and natural disasters all contributed to the challenges of 536, as did messy political shifts and cultural upheavals. <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/what-life-was-like-in-medieval-castles/shanell-mouland" target="_blank">Living in medieval Europe</a> was anything but easy, and the 6th century appeared&nbsp;exceptionally difficult to survive.&nbsp;Don&#39;t worry, though - about 100 years later <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/how-did-humans-survive-536-ad-worst-year/genevieve-carlton" target="_blank">everything recovered as best it could</a>.

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Historians Agree 536 Was The Worst Year To Be Alive - What Happened?

Reasons 536 CE Was The Worst Year To Be Alive

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Military

Many of us have heard of the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/what-spartan-life-was-like/aaron-edwards" target="_blank">unusual practices of Sparta</a>, the war-obsessed, ancient Greek society. Let&#39;s be real: many&nbsp;of us learned them from the notorious 2006&nbsp;film, 300.&nbsp;While the movie, and our history books, highlight some of the more impressive aspects of Spartan society, there are&nbsp;plenty of weird facts about Sparta&nbsp;that seem&nbsp;too extreme to be real.&nbsp;

For example, did you&nbsp;know Spartan&nbsp;teens participated in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/extreme-ancient-sports-that-sound-fake-but-are-true/genevieve-carlton" target="_blank">yearly festival of exterminating&nbsp;slaves</a>&nbsp;to quash any thoughts of rebellion? Or that Spartan babies were dunked in wine to test their worthiness to live? Or that women of Sparta shaved their heads and dressed like men on their wedding nights?

So get cozy, grab your sword (if you have one),&nbsp;and read on to dive <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/christopher-mccandless-into-the-wild-true-story/colleen-conroy?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">into the wild</a>&nbsp;traditions of Sparta. Make sure to vote up the facts that seem too outrageous to be real.

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Facts About Sparta That Sound Made Up - But Aren't

Emily Pogue

Ancient History

Whether tucked away between more modern structures built throughout their still thriving cities or standing alone amidst deserted landscapes, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/history-monument-ancient-facts/thomas-west">ancient landmarks</a> have the ability to inspire both excitement and intrigue. As gateways to the past, these <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/ancient-temple-facts/emily-mast">ancient temples</a> and monuments tell the unique history of civilizations who lived centuries before us - providing archaeological information where recorded written details of events are rarely found.&nbsp;Many of these <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/oldest-buildings-in-the-world-still-standing/pierce-nahigyan">surviving ancient buildings</a> and ruins are well-recognized as world travel destinations and backdrops to Hollywood film scenes. Still, while we may easily identify these iconic structures, there are always more elements of new knowledge to uncover. Below are some seriously head-turning facts we just learned about ancient landmarks.&nbsp;

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12 Astonishing Facts We Just Learned About Ancient Landmarks

Surprising Facts About Ancient Landmarks

Facts We Just Learned About Ancient Landmarks

Lauren Glen

Alligator wrestling, bull leaping, and carcass polo all sound like made-up sports. And yet people in Central America lined up to watch horsemen grab a headless goat carcass, Seminole Indians wrestled alligators, and ancient Minoans jumped over bulls.

When it comes to extreme historical <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/all-extreme-sports-list/reference" target="_blank">sports</a>, that&#39;s just the beginning. Venetians brawled with each other to claim control of a bridge, Egyptian fisherman tried to drown each other, and Greek wrestlers broke each other&#39;s bones to win games. In ancient Sparta, teenagers played a &quot;game&quot; called krypteia that involved massacring unarmed slaves, and ancient Mayans had to win their game or be sacrificed to the gods.&nbsp;

Unlike modern sports, where players have to follow rules, many of these extreme ancient sports were no holds barred. Vote up the ancient sports that are absurdly extreme.

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13 Extreme Historical Sports, Ranked By How Made-Up They Sound

13 Extreme Ancient Sports That Sound Made Up But Aren’t

Genevieve Carlton

Ancient Americas

Today, monuments in the ancient world, from the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/how-ancient-egyptians-moved-pyramid-blocks/stephanroget">Pyramids of Giza</a> to the Roman Pantheon to Cambodia's Angkor Wat, are some of the world's most popular tourism&nbsp;destinations. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/secret-rooms-in-historical-landmarks/jim-rowley">Historical landmarks</a> like these&nbsp;allow visitors to imagine what life would have been like thousands of years before their time, which is a major part of their appeal.But this is not a modern phenomenon. Ancient peoples flocked to tourist destinations for the same reasons people do today: to be enlightened, entertained, and energized.

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What Tourism Was Like In The Ancient World

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Jim Rowley

History

Many civilizations throughout history have erected enormous buildings and other structures to secure their place in both the present and posterity. Indeed, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-historic-landmark-facts/alby-thompson">these landmarks</a> are sometimes the only evidence left of past cultures - mute testaments to their greatness.&nbsp;Throughout the world,<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/ancient-monuments-still-standing/pierce-nahigyan"> impressive monuments from antiquity</a> still stand, and they are important not just as archaeological remains, but&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/ancient-tourism-facts/jim-rowley">also for tourism.</a> Every year, more fascinating facts emerge from these constructions of stone, brick, and mortar,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-monument-facts/mallory-weiler">shedding important light</a> on the people who produced them, allowing those in the present to gain some insight into the aspirations of those who came before.

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Facts About 14 Ancient Monuments We Can't Believe We're Just Now Learning

Thomas West

From Aphrodite to Zeus, all the Greek gods&nbsp;and goddesses&nbsp;oversaw every aspect of the ancient world from marriages and love to wars and plagues. These Greek deities&nbsp;fill tomes with rich stories of their exploits and affairs. Many stories reveal insight into the human condition while others explain the Earth as it is, even to this day. You might recognize Greek god&nbsp;and goddess&nbsp;names in everyday items such as on a street sign or a character in a book series like&nbsp;Percy Jackson and the Olympians. You can find a connection to Greek mythology gods almost anywhere you look.&nbsp;While they no longer hold as much sway as they did in the days of Athens and Sparta these gods still occupy a significant role in society and&nbsp;pop culture.

The family tree of the gods is varied and extensive but this list covers all 14 gods that were said to occupy Mount Olympus depending on stories and translations. Vote up the Greek gods and goddesses you identify with the most or just happen to like more than the others.

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The Roman Empire has captivated audiences for generations, so it comes as no surprise that filmmakers have often turned to this rich and storied past for inspiration. The resulting Roman war movies, often seen through the eyes of a Roman soldier, bring history to life in a grandeur that few other genres can match. This article, chiseled from the dense plaque of the past, is a carefully curated and expertly picked list filled with the best of the best when it comes to Roman Legion movies.Our roster of films presents an admirable gallery of Hollywood's exquisite grasp of the ancient era. They feature the ceaseless spirit of warriors, the electrifying chaos of battles, and the stratified society of one of the most influential civilizations in history. These films are timeless classics that have left an indelible print on the annals of film history, not only for critical acknowledgment but also because of their unwavering popularity among audiences.Movies like Gladiator speak to the grandeur and brutality of Roman life; Spartacus illuminates the tragic defiance of the downtrodden, while Ben-Hur enables us to experience the life course of a man betrayed and condemned. Other films like The Eagle and Centurion offer a unique vantage point of the Roman presence in British lands. Each of these films diligently unravels the tangled threads of history, giving us a taste of life as a Roman soldier during ancient times.To help make this historic journey lighter, we've included streaming options for each movie listed, with direct links to platforms such as Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, and Paramount+. Whether you're a cinephile wanting to soak up some Roman history or a history fanatic curious about Hollywood's rendering of the times, this selection is a Roman banquet you won't want to miss.Lastly, remember that your input matters to us. We encourage you to vote for your favorite movies from the list. Become a part of the conversation, weigh in with your thoughts, and make your voice heard. Prepare for a splendid immersion into the world of Roman legions on the silver screen.

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Rankings, theories, behind-the-scenes stories, and fun facts about the adventures of Indiana Jones, the archaeologist who can find anything—except the inner-strength to conquer his own fear of snakes.

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Indiana Jones

Since his debut in 1981, Indiana Jones has been doing his part to rescue relics and save history from unsavory characters who wish to use the artifacts for malicious means. Watching Indy save the day and the treasure is always a treat, but do you ever wonder if that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/american-buried-treasure-still-missing/emily-mast">treasure</a> actually existed, and if so, what it would be worth?&nbsp;We looked at the artifacts, treasures, and relics <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/harrison-ford-on-making-indiana-jones/natalie-jonah">Indiana Jones</a> saved and/or found over the years. By comparing them to real-world counterparts, or making real-world guesstimates based on the time period and materials used to create the relic, we came up with how much each treasure might be worth. From the ark of the covenant to the Eye of the Peacock, here are a few artifacts found by Indiana Jones and what they might be worth in the real world. Please vote up the rescued relics whose price tags could launch a crusade of their own.&nbsp;

The Actual, Real World Value Of All The Artifacts Indiana Jones Finds

How Much Are The Ancient Artifacts In Indiana Jones Actually Worth?

M. Muir

Weird Nature

Living in the 21st century certainly has its perks&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;deoderant, Snapchat, Beyonc&eacute;, and the list goes on. Fortunately for us, we&#39;re aren&#39;t doomed&nbsp;to roam any prehistoric era, when not getting mauled and eaten by a saber-tooth tiger was the most success a person could ask for on any given day. One of the biggest benefit of the modern age would have to be the lack of gargantuan &ndash; and sometimes carnivorous &ndash;&nbsp;prehistoric animals. Creatures of land, sky, and sea <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/why-prehistoric-animals-were-huge/olivia-pasquarelli" target="_blank">were all significantly larger</a> back then, and although most of these age-old giants have some distant relative still living today,&nbsp;they&#39;re&nbsp;not necessarily what you would expect. Check out the list below for things that were terrifyingly bigger in the prehistoric era.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Things That Were Terrifyingly Bigger In Prehistoric Times

Animals That Were Terrifyingly Bigger in Prehistoric Times

Jacoby Bancroft

Aliens

Ancient&nbsp;history is filled with impressive human&nbsp;achievements -&nbsp;the Pyramids of Giza, the Mayan Long Count Calendar, beer&nbsp;- or maybe that&#39;s just what &quot;they&quot; want you to think. Since the 1960s, a growing&nbsp;contingent of people believes ancient civilizations were contacted by extraterrestrial beings who provided humanity with the knowledge and skills needed to create civilization. According to the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/21/style/ancient-aliens.html" target="_blank">Ancient Astronaut Theory</a>, aliens built grand monuments,&nbsp;left behind&nbsp;artifacts, and may have even caused certain civilizations to disappear <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/full-cast-of-without-a-trace-cast-list-for-the-show-without-a-trace/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">without a trace</a>.

Historians and archaeologists have criticized the theory since it started to gain mainstream popularity with Erich von D&auml;niken&#39;s 1968&nbsp;best-selling book Chariots of the Gods? -&nbsp;but what do you think? Did these ancient civilizations create&nbsp;genuine&nbsp;human marvels or were they the benefactors of&nbsp;interplanetary encounters?

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What Ancient Civilizations Do You Believe Were Contacted By Aliens?

Brenden Donnelly

Lists ranking the best guests on The Joe Rogan Experience, a  long form podcast hosted by the stand up comic veteran.

The Joe Rogan Experience

Joe Rogan

The Joe Rogan Experience has become a go-to podcast for fascinating and in-depth discussions on a wide range of topics, and episodes about ancient Egypt and the pyramids are particular fan-favorites. The <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-joe-rogan-alien-podcasts/ranker-tv?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best Joe Rogan</a> Experience episodes about ancient Egypt and the pyramids delve into the mysteries, theories, and awe-inspiring history of one of the world's most enigmatic civilizations. With expert guests and intriguing conversations, these episodes captivate listeners who are eager to explore the secrets of the past.Episode 1284 featuring Graham Hancock and Randall Carlson dives deep into theories about the construction techniques of the pyramids and the potential advanced knowledge held by ancient civilizations. This episode offers a mind-expanding discussion that challenges mainstream historical narratives. Episode 872, with guest Graham Hancock, also explores the mysteries of ancient Egypt, touching on topics like the Sphinx and the significance of astronomical alignments. Lastly, episode 1124, featuring Robert Schoch, provides insights into geological evidence that suggests a much older timeline for the pyramids and Sphinx, sparking thought-provoking debates about human history.Now it's your turn to weigh in. Vote on your favorite Joe Rogan ancient Egypt episodes and let your voice be heard. Your votes will help highlight the most captivating and informative discussions that delve into the wonders of ancient Egypt and the pyramids. Join us in celebrating the episodes that have sparked curiosity and inspired a deeper appreciation for this fascinating ancient civilization.

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Death by molten gold isn&rsquo;t just a grisly Game of Thrones invention. In the third century, a Roman emperor named Valerian is alleged to have died when his rival poured liquid gold down his throat. Valerian&rsquo;s gruesome death was nearly as bad as the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/gruesome-executions-time-of-henry-viii/jeffrichard" target="_blank">horrific executions in Henry VIII&rsquo;s time</a>, and that&#39;s really saying something. Unfortunately for Valerian,&nbsp;his&nbsp;execution&nbsp;was only one part of his humiliating captivity in the hands of the Persians. That is, if we&#39;re to believe the account of&nbsp;Lucius Caecilius Firmianus Lactantius, an early Christian author who was no fan of Valerian&#39;s.

According to Lactantius, Persian&nbsp;King Shapur I captured Valerian in battle and tormented him relentlessly. He used Emperor Valerian as a footstool, mocked him, and stuffed his flayed skin with straw. The humiliation of Emperor Valerian was so bad that his own son didn&rsquo;t even try to rescue him.&nbsp;

What happened to Emperor Valerian after his capture at the Battle of Edessa? King Shapur I and the Roman Emperor Valerian came from clashing superpowers, and the Persians made an example of Valerian to taunt Romans with their lost glory. The question&nbsp;of whether this involved a life of imprisonment and a fade into nothingness or a violent death by way of having molten gold poured down his throat is one to which we&#39;ll likely never have a definitive answer.&nbsp;

The Roman Emperor Who Might Have Died By Having Molten Gold Poured Down His Throat

The Roman Emperor Who Died By Having Molten Gold Poured Down His Throat

Whether or not Vikings had tattoos isn't entirely clear, but <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historically-inaccurate-viking-tropes/setareh-janda">popular culture definitely</a> tells us they did. At least one historical account seems to substantiate this. When he encountered the Rus - Scandinavians in Eastern Europe and Russia -&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Vikings_An_Encyclopedia_of_Conflict_Inva/MtljEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&amp;gbpv=1&amp;dq=ibn+fadlan+rus+tattoo&amp;pg=PA49&amp;printsec=frontcover">Arab chronicler Ibn Fadlan</a> (c. 879-960) noted that "from the tips of his toes to his neck, each man is tattooed in dark green with designs and so forth."&nbsp;Both history and conventional wisdom hold that Scandinavians and their descendants adorned their bodies with symbols, sigils, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://galdrasyning.is/en/galdrastafir/">and staves</a> - all with specific meanings and importance. Runes were also used to convey information. The characters of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Revival_of_the_Runes/XCkBEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&amp;gbpv=1&amp;dq=younger+futhark&amp;pg=PT59&amp;printsec=frontcover">Younger Futhark system</a> were prominent <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Spiritual_Runes/wkbBDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&amp;gbpv=1&amp;dq=younger+futhark&amp;pg=PA9&amp;printsec=frontcover">during the 9th</a>, 10th, and 11th centuries and are most closely connected with the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/en/professions/education/viking-age-people/runes#:~:text=Runes%20%2D%20an%20ancient%20alphabet&amp;text=The%20runic%20stones%20of%20the,up%20until%20the%2014th%20century.">so-called Viking Age</a>. They have their origins in the aptly named <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Futhark/PM7ODwAAQBAJ?hl=en&amp;gbpv=1&amp;dq=futhark+thorsson&amp;printsec=frontcover">Elder Futhark</a> and gave way to derivatives like Anglo-Saxon runes.&nbsp;But what did these sigils and runes look like? And what did they mean?&nbsp;Information comes from magical and mythological manuals assembled between the 12th and 17th centuries. Called <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Routledge_Revivals_Medieval_Scandinavia/PTArDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&amp;gbpv=1&amp;dq=Galdrastafir+scandinavia&amp;pg=PA399&amp;printsec=frontcover">grimoires&nbsp;or&nbsp;galdraboekur</a>, these <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://galdrasyning.is/en/galdraskraedur/">collections contained</a> folklore tales, spells, runic symbols, and staves - the tools used by magicians.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.amazon.com/Galdrabok-Icelandic-Grimoire-English/dp/087728685X">The&nbsp;Galdrabok</a> provides <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/viking-religion-beliefs/lyra-radford">information about Old Icelandic</a> magic and is where we can find the closest thing to what a Viking tattoo may have actually looked like.&nbsp;Take a look and vote up the Viking symbols that have you ready for your next tattoo.&nbsp;

The Meanings And Symbolism Behind Viking Tattoos

Lists about customs, rituals, and daily life in Ancient Rome and the Roman Republic, which ruled the Mediterranean from 8th Century BC until its spectacular collapse in 476 AD.

Rome If You Want To

Roman Empire

<a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/biggest-empires-ever-history/melissa-sartore?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">The Roman Empire</a> extended throughout the Mediterranean, well into Europe, North Africa, and West Asia. From the early 1st century CE to the early 4th century, the Roman Empire spread its military and culture alike. Later shifting from Rome to Constantinople - where it continued on as the Byzantine Empire - the Roman Empire left an undeniable political and social legacy.&nbsp;

As individuals went about their daily lives in Rome, perhaps watching <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/roman-colosseum-experience/genevieve-carlton" target="_blank">an event at the Colosseum</a> or visiting the Forum to buy everyday items, life in the Roman Empire was a mixture of excitement and the mundane - not unlike today. Similarly, some popular things in the Roman Empire strongly resemble stuff you use day in and day out. There are some differences, of course, it was the ancient world. But take a look at Roman every day items compared to how they look now!

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20 Everyday Items From The Roman Empire Vs. How They Look Today

20 Everyday Items From Ancient Rome Vs. How They Look Today

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