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Admiraal M, Colonese AC, Milheira RG, da Rocha Bandeira D, Demathe A, Pereira Dos Santos AM, Fossile T, Talbot HM, Bondetti M, Lucquin A, Montalvo-Cabrera J, Prates L, Serna A, Craig OE. Chemical analysis of pottery reveals the transition from a maritime to a plant-based economy in pre-colonial coastal Brazil. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16771. [PMID: 37798303 PMCID: PMC10556129 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42662-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding long-term dynamics of past socio-ecological systems is essential for their future management. The southern Atlantic Forest coast of Brazil with its biodiverse littoral zone and artisanal fishing communities, is a priority for conservation. Traditional maritime knowledge is thought to have a deep-history and indeed, marine exploitation can be traced back to the middle Holocene. As part of one of South America's largest diasporas, Guarani groups reached the southern Brazilian coast at around 1000 years ago. Their impact on the long-standing coastal economy is unknown, due to poor preservation of organic remains. Through the first organic residue study on Guarani pottery, we show that maize rather than aquatic foods was the most dominant product in pottery at this time. By developing a mixing model based on carbon isotope values of saturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acids we propose new criteria for the identification of maize, opening up avenues for future research. Our data confirms the importance of maize to the pre-colonial Guarani, even in a highly productive coastal environment. The Guarani occupation of this region marks a significant departure from previous socio-economic systems, potentially leading to loss of traditional knowledge and alleviating anthropogenic pressure, albeit temporarily, on the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjolein Admiraal
- Department of Archaeology, BioArCh, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Andre C Colonese
- Department of Prehistory and Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Rafael G Milheira
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, Federal University of Pelotas, Coronel Alberto Rosa 154, Pelotas, RS, 96010-160, Brazil
| | - Dione da Rocha Bandeira
- Programa em Patrimônio Cultural e Sociedade, Universidade da Região de Joinville, Paulo Malschitzki, 10, Zona Industrial Norte, Joinville, SC, 89219-710, Brazil
- Museu Arqueológico de Sambaqui de Joinville, Dona Francisca, 600, Joinville, 89201-220, Brazil
| | - Alexandro Demathe
- Sapienza Arqueologia e Gestão do Patrimônio Arqueológico, Wenceslau Alves dos Santos, 1002, Tubarão, SC, 88704-208, Brazil
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Educação Patrimonial e Arqueologia (GRUPEP), Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Av. José Acácio Moreira, 787, Tubarão, SC, 88704-900, Brazil
| | | | - Thiago Fossile
- Department of Prehistory and Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Helen M Talbot
- Department of Archaeology, BioArCh, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Manon Bondetti
- Department of Archaeology, BioArCh, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Alexandre Lucquin
- Department of Archaeology, BioArCh, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | | | - Luciano Prates
- División Arqueología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 1900, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Alejandro Serna
- Department of Archaeology, BioArCh, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
- División Arqueología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 1900, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Oliver E Craig
- Department of Archaeology, BioArCh, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
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Irto A, Micalizzi G, Bretti C, Chiaia V, Mondello L, Cardiano P. Lipids in Archaeological Pottery: A Review on Their Sampling and Extraction Techniques. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27113451. [PMID: 35684389 PMCID: PMC9182108 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27113451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies have been performed so far for the effective recovery, detection and quantification of specific compounds and their degradation products in archaeological materials. According to the literature, lipid molecules are the most durable and widespread biomarkers in ancient pottery. Artificial ageing studies to simulate lipid alterations over time have been reported. In this review, specific lipid archaeological biomarkers and well-established sampling and extraction methodologies are discussed. Although suitable analytical techniques have unraveled archaeological questions, some issues remain open such as the need to introduce innovative and miniaturized protocols to avoid extractions with organic solvents, which are often laborious and non-environmentally friendly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Irto
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (C.B.); (V.C.); (L.M.); (P.C.)
- Correspondence: (A.I.); (G.M.)
| | - Giuseppe Micalizzi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (C.B.); (V.C.); (L.M.); (P.C.)
- Correspondence: (A.I.); (G.M.)
| | - Clemente Bretti
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (C.B.); (V.C.); (L.M.); (P.C.)
| | - Valentina Chiaia
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (C.B.); (V.C.); (L.M.); (P.C.)
| | - Luigi Mondello
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (C.B.); (V.C.); (L.M.); (P.C.)
- Chromaleont s.r.l., c/o Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
- Unit of Food Science and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Cardiano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (C.B.); (V.C.); (L.M.); (P.C.)
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Bondetti M, Scott E, Courel B, Lucquin A, Shoda S, Lundy J, Labra‐Odde C, Drieu L, Craig OE. Investigating the formation and diagnostic value of ω-( o-alkylphenyl)alkanoic acids in ancient pottery. ARCHAEOMETRY 2021; 63:594-608. [PMID: 34219747 PMCID: PMC8247306 DOI: 10.1111/arcm.12631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Long-chain ω-(o-alkylphenyl)alkanoic acids (APAAs) derived from the heating of unsaturated fatty acids have been widely used for the identification of aquatic products in archaeological ceramic vessels. To date, little attention has been paid to the diagnostic potential of shorter chain (< C20) APAAs, despite their frequent occurrence. Here, a range of laboratory and field experiments and analyses of archaeological samples were undertaken to investigate whether APAAs could be used to further differentiate different commodities. The results provide new insights about the conditions for the formation of APAAs and enable the proposition of novel criteria to distinguish different natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Bondetti
- BioArChUniversity of YorkYorkUK
- University of Groningen, Arctic CentreGroningenthe Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - S. Shoda
- Palace Site InvestigationsNara National Research Institute for Cultural PropertiesNaraJapan
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4
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Pavelka J, Smejda L, Kuckova S, Mensik P. Challenge to molecular archaeology—Sediments contaminated by allochthonous animal proteins. J LIQ CHROMATOGR R T 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/10826076.2020.1838925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslav Pavelka
- Centre of Biology, Geosciences and Environmental Education, Faculty of Education, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Plzen, Czech Republic
- Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Arts, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Plzen, Czech Republic
| | - Ladislav Smejda
- Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Arts, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Plzen, Czech Republic
- Department of Applied Geoinformatics and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Stepanka Kuckova
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Prague 6, Czech Republic
- Department of Chemistry and Chemistry Education, Faculty of Education, Charles University, Prague 1, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Mensik
- Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Arts, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Plzen, Czech Republic
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Chakraborty KS, Slater GF, Miller HML, Shirvalkar P, Rawat Y. Compound specific isotope analysis of lipid residues provides the earliest direct evidence of dairy product processing in South Asia. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16095. [PMID: 32999318 PMCID: PMC7528006 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72963-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The early evidence of domesticated animals and human–animal interaction in South Asia can be traced back to the seventh millennium BCE; however, our understanding of their use is incomplete and limited to the analysis of animal bones from archaeological sites. By the third millennium BCE with the emergence of the Indus Civilization, cattle and water-buffalo became the primary domesticates and outnumbered any other animals at the majority of the Indus settlements. Based on the analysis of skeletal remains and ethnographic data, a number of studies have suggested that cattle and water-buffalo were utilized for their meat, dairy, hides, and other labor-oriented jobs. While some of these claims are backed by empirical data, others are primarily discussed as hypotheses, for example, the exploitation of dairy. In this paper, by analyzing the absorbed lipid residues from fifty-nine ceramic sherds recovered from an agro-pastoral settlement that was occupied during the peak of the Indus period around mid- to late third millennium BCE, we provide the earliest direct evidence of dairy product processing, particularly from cattle and possibly from some water-buffalo. By providing direct evidence of animal product processing, we identify the use of primary domesticated animals and other resources in the diet during the Indus Civilization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Greg F Slater
- School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Heather M-L Miller
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Prabodh Shirvalkar
- Department of A.I.H.C. and Archaeology, Deccan College Postgraduate and Research Institute, Pune, Maharashtra, India
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Latitudinal gradient in dairy production with the introduction of farming in Atlantic Europe. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2036. [PMID: 32341389 PMCID: PMC7184739 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15907-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The introduction of farming had far-reaching impacts on health, social structure and demography. Although the spread of domesticated plants and animals has been extensively tracked, it is unclear how these nascent economies developed within different environmental and cultural settings. Using molecular and isotopic analysis of lipids from pottery, here we investigate the foods prepared by the earliest farming communities of the European Atlantic seaboard. Surprisingly, we find an absence of aquatic foods, including in ceramics from coastal sites, except in the Western Baltic where this tradition continued from indigenous ceramic using hunter-gatherer-fishers. The frequency of dairy products in pottery increased as farming was progressively introduced along a northerly latitudinal gradient. This finding implies that early farming communities needed time to adapt their economic practices before expanding into more northerly areas. Latitudinal differences in the scale of dairy production might also have influenced the evolution of adult lactase persistence across Europe. The transition to agriculture brought major changes to human populations in Europe during the Neolithic period. Here, Cubas and colleagues analyse lipid residues from Neolithic pottery from along the Atlantic coast of Europe to trace the spread of dairy production and shifts in diet.
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Robson HK, Skipitytė R, Piličiauskienė G, Lucquin A, Heron C, Craig OE, Piličiauskas G. Diet, cuisine and consumption practices of the first farmers in the southeastern Baltic. ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES 2019; 11:4011-4024. [PMID: 31565086 PMCID: PMC6743674 DOI: 10.1007/s12520-019-00804-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
With the arrival of the Early Neolithic Globular Amphora and Corded Ware cultures into the southeastern Baltic, ca. 2900/2800-2400 cal BC, a new type of economy was introduced, animal husbandry. However, the degree to which this transformed the subsistence economy is unknown. Here, we conducted organic residue analyses of 64 ceramic vessels to identify their contents. The vessels were sampled from 10 Lithuanian archaeological sites dating across the Subneolithic-Neolithic transition to the Early Bronze Age (ca. 2900/2800-1300 cal BC). Our results demonstrate that regardless of location or vessel type, many ceramics were used to process aquatic resources. Against our expectations, this association continued even after marked economic change concurrent with the migration of pastoralists from central and southeastern Europe, as evidenced by recent ancient DNA analysis of human remains. Moreover, we observed dairy fats in pottery from all cultures of the Early Neolithic (i.e. Rzucewo, Globular Amphora and Corded Ware) but unlike other regions of Europe, it seems that these were incorporated into indigenous culinary practices. Furthermore, some vessels were used to process plant foods, and others may have been used for the production and/or storage of birch bark tar. However, evidence for domesticated plant processing, for example millet, was absent. We show that organic residue analysis of pottery provides a different picture of past consumption patterns compared to the stable isotope analysis of human remains from isolated burials where a clear dietary shift is evident.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry K. Robson
- BioArCh, Department of Archaeology, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Raminta Skipitytė
- Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Saulėtekio Ave. 3, Vilnius 10257, Lithuania
- Lithuanian Institute of History, Kražių st. 5, Vilnius 01108, Lithuania
| | - Giedrė Piličiauskienė
- Faculty of History, Vilnius University, Universiteto st. 7, Vilnius 01513, Lithuania
| | - Alexandre Lucquin
- BioArCh, Department of Archaeology, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Carl Heron
- Department of Scientific Research, The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG, UK
| | - Oliver E. Craig
- BioArCh, Department of Archaeology, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK
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GC–MS and HPLC-ESI-QToF characterization of organic lipid residues from ceramic vessels used by Basque whalers from 16th to 17th centuries. Microchem J 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2017.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Oras E, Vahur S, Isaksson S, Kaljurand I, Leito I. MALDI-FT-ICR-MS for archaeological lipid residue analysis. JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY : JMS 2017; 52:689-700. [PMID: 28741297 DOI: 10.1002/jms.3974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Soft-ionization methods are currently at the forefront of developing novel methods for analysing degraded archaeological organic residues. Here, we present little-used soft ionization method of matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance-mass spectrometry (MALDI-FT-ICR-MS) for the identification of archaeological lipid residues. It is a high-resolution and sensitive method with low limits of detection capable of identifying lipid compounds in small concentrations, thus providing a highly potential new technique for the analysis of degraded lipid components. A thorough methodology development for analysing cooked and degraded food remains from ceramic vessels was carried out, and the most efficient sample preparation protocol is described. The identified components, also controlled by independent parallel analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS), demonstrate its capability of identifying very different food residues including dairy, adipose fats as well as lipids of aquatic origin. The results obtained from experimentally cooked and original archaeological samples prove the suitability of MALDI-FT-ICR-MS for analysing archaeological organic residues. Sample preparation protocol and identification of compounds provide future reference for analysing various aged and degraded lipid residues in different organic and mineral matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Oras
- Institute of History and Archaeology, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Tartu, Jakobi 2, 51014, Tartu, Estonia
- Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu, Ravila 14A, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Signe Vahur
- Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu, Ravila 14A, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Sven Isaksson
- The Archaeological Research Laboratory, Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ivari Kaljurand
- Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu, Ravila 14A, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ivo Leito
- Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu, Ravila 14A, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
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Chemical Analysis of Pottery Demonstrates Prehistoric Origin for High-Altitude Alpine Dairying. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0151442. [PMID: 27100391 PMCID: PMC4839595 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The European high Alps are internationally renowned for their dairy produce, which are of huge cultural and economic significance to the region. Although the recent history of alpine dairying has been well studied, virtually nothing is known regarding the origins of this practice. This is due to poor preservation of high altitude archaeological sites and the ephemeral nature of transhumance economic practices. Archaeologists have suggested that stone structures that appear around 3,000 years ago are associated with more intense seasonal occupation of the high Alps and perhaps the establishment of new economic strategies. Here, we report on organic residue analysis of small fragments of pottery sherds that are occasionally preserved both at these sites and earlier prehistoric rock-shelters. Based mainly on isotopic criteria, dairy lipids could only be identified on ceramics from the stone structures, which date to the Iron Age (ca. 3,000-2,500 BP), providing the earliest evidence of this practice in the high Alps. Dairy production in such a marginal environment implies a high degree of risk even by today's standards. We postulate that this practice was driven by population increase and climate deterioration that put pressure on lowland agropastoral systems and the establishment of more extensive trade networks, leading to greater demand for highly nutritious and transportable dairy products.
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Ancient lipids document continuity in the use of early hunter-gatherer pottery through 9,000 years of Japanese prehistory. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:3991-6. [PMID: 27001829 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1522908113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The earliest pots in the world are from East Asia and date to the Late Pleistocene. However, ceramic vessels were only produced in large numbers during the warmer and more stable climatic conditions of the Holocene. It has long been assumed that the expansion of pottery was linked with increased sedentism and exploitation of new resources that became available with the ameliorated climate, but this hypothesis has never been tested. Through chemical analysis of their contents, we herein investigate the use of pottery across an exceptionally long 9,000-y sequence from the Jōmon site of Torihama in western Japan, intermittently occupied from the Late Pleistocene to the mid-Holocene. Molecular and isotopic analyses of lipids from 143 vessels provides clear evidence that pottery across this sequence was predominantly used for cooking marine and freshwater resources, with evidence for diversification in the range of aquatic products processed during the Holocene. Conversely, there is little indication that ruminant animals or plants were processed in pottery, although it is evident from the faunal and macrobotanical remains that these foods were heavily exploited. Supported by other residue analysis data from Japan, our results show that the link between pottery and fishing was established in the Late Paleolithic and lasted well into the Holocene, despite environmental and socio-economic change. Cooking aquatic products in pottery represents an enduring social aspect of East Asian hunter-gatherers, a tradition based on a dependable technology for exploiting a sustainable resource in an uncertain and changing world.
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