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Time Team dig for Harold's story

6:07pm Thursday 15th March 2007

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A TELEVISION programme is set to uncover some of Gwent's lesser known history.

Channel Four's Time Team, presented by Tony Robinson, have spent the week excavating Harold's Field, in Portskewett.

And the crew have already unearthed some exciting archaelogical finds , including the remains of a medieval manor house and some pieces of Roman pottery.

However Kate Smith, a local doctor of archaeology, said what they really want to find is some evidence King Harold visited the area in the tenth century.

"According to the legend he visited Portskewett in 1065 and built a hunting lodge," said Dr Smith, 37, of Church Row, Sudbrook, who wrote to Time Team in November asking them to visit.

But so far they have not found anything directly linked to King Harold, who was famously killed by an arrow through his eye in the Battle of Hastings.

The site, behind St Mary's Church, became a scheduled ancient monument site in 1928. The television crew arrived on Monday and were due to leave tomorrow.

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Your Say YourSouth Wales Argus

Gill Shutt, says...
6:45pm Thu 15 Mar 07

Time Team fig for Harold's story
By South Wales Argus Newsdesk
And the fig comes in to it where?

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Elaine Blackman, New Radnor. says...
9:24pm Thu 15 Mar 07

If King Harold visited the area in the 9th. century, did he own a Tardis to get him there from the 11th?

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Gill Shutt, says...
9:44pm Thu 15 Mar 07

They've changed 'fig' to dig, however the 9th century has now change to the tenth, still one out Argus.

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Ken B., 21st. Century says...
9:49pm Thu 15 Mar 07

But so far they have not found anything directly linked to King Harold.

Maybe Dr.Smith just wanted her Garden dug over...lol

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Baldrick, East London says...
7:56am Fri 16 Mar 07

Ken B. wrote:
But so far they have not found anything directly linked to King Harold. Maybe Dr.Smith just wanted her Garden dug over...lol
Dr Smith's plan is so cunning you could pin a tale on it and call it a weasel?

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Horace Wimpole, cashing in a a revalue says...
8:07am Fri 16 Mar 07

Richard the Lionheart was once known to have been in the location of where my garden now is. If the garden was there then he was probably hedgehopping with Saladin, Ivanhoe and Robin Hood.

Maybe you have some recollection of this Gill seeing as your house is built on a battlefield.

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H. Corbett, East London says...
10:11am Fri 16 Mar 07

If anything's found in my field I want it back.

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Gill Shutt, says...
11:02am Fri 16 Mar 07

Horace, wait 'til your eldest gets to 16. Then you'll know all about battlefields!

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Phil, Sheffield says...
11:03am Fri 16 Mar 07

What is this "so called" Doctors credentials - how long has she been studying archaeology? Too many times just anyone makes comments without checking their facts out thoroughly.

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A. Youth, Chepstow says...
11:33am Fri 16 Mar 07

If anyone found a stash of weed in the field, could they drop it off at the phone box near the bus station? It's nothing to do with me, but I might be able to get it back to the owner

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Dr Kate Smith, Portskewett says...
11:42am Fri 16 Mar 07

Just to let skeptic Phil from Sheffield that I have been studying archaeology for ten years and successfully completed my PhD at Uni of Wales Newport in 2005. My thesis is now published as a BAR, which you can buy online if you wish to check the academic content. I cannot be held responsible for misunderstandings of dating by the news team. And very sorry Youth of Chepstow bu no weed was recovered!

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Susan, Devon says...
12:18pm Fri 16 Mar 07

So what happens to the things that have been found and does someone continue to dig the site - or was this just a tv opportunity for all concerned and now that the tv cameras have gone the site remains undiscovered.

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kate's dad, portskewett says...
12:19pm Fri 16 Mar 07

by the way "so called" Phill of Sheffield what are your credentials??

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Phil, Sheffield says...
12:24pm Fri 16 Mar 07

"Actual" Phil from Sheffield - degree in common sense. This wasn't meant to be offensive, curious as to credentials.

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Mavis, Brecon says...
12:36pm Fri 16 Mar 07

I heard one of Kate's engineers was planning to plant a body from the local cemetary at the dig to make it more interesting ?

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Dr Kate Smith, Portskewett says...
12:37pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Hi Sue
Unfortunately there are no plans to continue digging at Portskewett. However, don't worry, the portable finds will be given to Cadw with a full excavation report. The results of the dig will be published next year in a archaeological journal (publication yet to be decided). The manor house will be re-covered by earth and remain as protected from the elements as it has been for the last 800 years or so.

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Sue, Devon says...
12:45pm Fri 16 Mar 07

It is a pity that the dig could not be fully completed - surely if some things have been found than there could be more to discover. Could Dr Smith not follow this through.

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Dr Kate Smith, Portskewett says...
12:55pm Fri 16 Mar 07

ok Phil, no probs. I realise that a name like Smith is bound to sound a bit dodgy! I've just checked with the news desk and they have now got the dates right.
Katie

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Horace Wimpole, kaming the house escape proof says...
12:55pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Gill,
I'm dreading it. Thanks for reminding me. Aaaarggh!

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Dr Kate Smith, Portskewett says...
1:18pm Fri 16 Mar 07

To Sue
I'm afraid archaeology is not that straight forward.
I wish it were.

To all
And as for my colleagues 'the engineers',don't believe a word about the body - they are all very well behaved - honest!!

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g.jenkins, cardiff says...
1:55pm Fri 16 Mar 07

has doctor smith been lost in space for duration of a century!!!!

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g.jenkins, cardiff says...
1:56pm Fri 16 Mar 07

has doctor smith been lost in space for duration of a century!!!!

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Sarah, Monmouth says...
2:08pm Fri 16 Mar 07

I am interested to know what Dr Smith does? Wasnt aware there was much call for archeology related jobs in the area? Have you worked on or are you working on any other digs at the moment?

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Dr Kate Smith, Portskewtt says...
2:29pm Fri 16 Mar 07

My job is not archaeology related atall. How surprising that anyone would really give a monkeys!

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sarah, monmouth says...
2:32pm Fri 16 Mar 07

No need to be soo rude you little up start

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kate, Portskewett says...
2:35pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Hi Sarah

If you have a look at Monmouthshire Archaeological Unit web site and Gwent and Glamorgan Archaeological Trust site you will see that quite a lot goes on around here if you are interested in this sort of thing.

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Cefax, Abercarn says...
2:38pm Fri 16 Mar 07

It was a great three days and cannot wait to see the program when it is aired early next year.
Mavis, put the body nearer to the surface next time!!!

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Kate Smith, portskewett says...
2:40pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Sincere apologies Sarah. Thought you were joing in with the 'who is this "so-called" dr smith thing.

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sarah, monmouth says...
2:41pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Thank you thats all you needed to say. We are not all able to communicate like you im sitting here and i dont get much of a chance to speak to people, only on my computor is it possible, so it does annoy me when people like you get on there high horse when a question is put to them.

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Kate, Portskewett says...
2:46pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Quite rightfully so. Am mortified that I took offence! I didn't like some comments made about me earlier, so completely understand. I hope the web sites I mentioned are of use to you.

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sarah, monmouth says...
2:52pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Thank you Dr. Smith, yes i have taken note of web sites. I will be checking out your BAR hope you dont take afence but what is a bar appart from a place where you purchase drink?

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sarah, monmouth says...
2:55pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Thank you Dr. Smith, yes i have taken note of web sites. I will be checking out your BAR hope you dont take offence but what is a bar appart from a place where you purchase drink?

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Olivia, newport says...
2:57pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Sarah the way you spell, I think YOU have you been at the bar all day !

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Kate, Portskewett says...
2:59pm Fri 16 Mar 07

It's a British Archaeology Report. I did mine on "Domesticated Dogs in the Art and Archaeology of Iron Age and Roman Britain", not on Harold. I could get one to you in the post by way of an apology for being a complete idiot if you have any idea how I might achieve this.

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sarah, monmouth says...
3:00pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Olivia, Hi can i get you a drinky

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olivia, newport says...
3:04pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Yes please Sarah make mine a double vodka and coke :)

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sarah, monmouth says...
3:07pm Fri 16 Mar 07

girl after my own heart, could just do with a nice long cool v&c down my throat. yum yum

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Tony, Bristol says...
3:13pm Fri 16 Mar 07

While you are up I'll have a pint of best bitter please and some cheese and onion crisps, if they dont have cheese and onion, then plain will do.

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olivia, newport says...
3:15pm Fri 16 Mar 07

I'm getting the munchies now, get me roasted nuts as well :)

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sarah, monmouth says...
3:22pm Fri 16 Mar 07

sorry i dont get out to any bars so i have to ask you to get your own nuts and crisps. ps i like c&o too!!!!

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kate, Portskewett says...
3:26pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Am most relieved the party is underway. I'll have a pint of larger and leave you to it:)

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olivia, newport says...
3:26pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Im sorry you dont get out Sarah, Tony and myself will have to come round you're place :)

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Ken Bradford, says...
3:28pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Dr. Smith.
If you want to have a look around the Gloucester Area you are welcome to use my house as a stopover.
The Woodchester Pavement is just up the road and as for Romans...they're everywhere here.

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Christina, Caldicot says...
3:32pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Ken can I come as well, Im not really interested in Romans or archaeology but a free stop over sounds good :)

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sarah, monmouth says...
3:33pm Fri 16 Mar 07

sorry Dr. Smith did not mean to leave you out. sorry i cant give my address out for you to send me things through the post, thank you anyway. where is the party and can i come, and do you cater for the disabled?

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Claudius, says...
3:44pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Do they have any pickled eggs?

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Kate, Portskewett says...
3:48pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Hi Sarah & All
Please call me Kate or Katie. I'm sure an online party caters for everybody. Hey - guess what. My parents have just been over Harold's field talking to thearchaeologists who are still there and they definitely found pottery dating to 11th century (Harold's time) so maybe he was there afterall! I'll drink to that :)

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sarah, monmouth says...
3:48pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Ewwww I hate pickled eggs !

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Darren, Abergavenny says...
3:51pm Fri 16 Mar 07

I have justlooked at this article and am shocked at the response to the lady from Monmouth by Dr Kate - I thought the whole point of these comment options was to ask questions and put our points forward..... I am worried about asking any question now, even though I am very interested in this subject.

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kate, Portskewett says...
3:54pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Please don't be like that Darren,ask me whatever you like. I was just touchy earlier as I had the wrong end of the stick. I am friendly honest!

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Tony, Bristol says...
3:56pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Keep it down I'm nearly served at the bar, Darren do you want anything ?

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sarah, monmouth says...
3:57pm Fri 16 Mar 07

or pork scratchings?

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Darren, Abergavenny says...
3:58pm Fri 16 Mar 07

No thanks - think I will give it a miss this time. Glad the dig went well.

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sarah the original, monmouth says...
4:01pm Fri 16 Mar 07

that other sarah from monmouth is not me cos i love pickled eggs. yum yum

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Tony, Bristol says...
4:04pm Fri 16 Mar 07

I love pickled eggs too, Sarah you no longer know who you are, must be the vodka hitting home ;)

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Pete, Rogerstone says...
4:05pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Good work Kate!!! Time Team seemed to be really pleased with the dig and found plenty of good data!!!

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Gerald, London says...
4:06pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Any chance you guys could get back on the subject matter, this is an article on an archaeological dig after all !

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Tony, Bristol says...
4:07pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Lighten up Gerald, archaeologist's love their drink !

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Kate, Portskewett says...
4:16pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Well I suppose its red nose day and everyone has had their fun, Im still here to answers serious questions if anybody has any ?

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big bertha, bristol says...
4:18pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Dr Kate, you mentioned above that you do not actually work in the field of ARCHAEOLOGY. Wasnt it a bit of a waste to study for ten years?

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sarah, monmouth says...
4:22pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Hi all, Thank you all for a good Friday afternoon. I have to go back to my cell now. b.b.f.n.

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kate, Portskewett says...
4:24pm Fri 16 Mar 07

There now appears to be another Dr Kate and it's all getting a bit weird. So ta ta. Look out for the programme next year!

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tony, Bristol says...
4:25pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Sarah are you a monkey or a tiger ?

And Big Bertha no education is a waste of study, learning for life keeps youre brain fully fit !

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Dr Kate, Portskewett says...
4:26pm Fri 16 Mar 07

I'm spartacus !

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big bertha, bristol says...
4:28pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Hi tony, Ten years of study is a waste of tax payers money and time if you dont do anything with it

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Tony, Bristol says...
4:31pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Big Bertha ( which is not even a real name )
no education is ever a waste of time or money ! Kate has a PHD I suspect you are a little jealous !

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Hadrian, Scotish Border says...
4:33pm Fri 16 Mar 07

I expect Dr Kate does lectures etc. and passes on her knowlege to us plebs

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pleb, plebville says...
4:36pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Hey who are you calling a pleb ?

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big bertha, bristol says...
4:40pm Fri 16 Mar 07

Tony it is if you dont USE IT . I am in no way jealous, i have studied long and hard for my own phd, and now actually work in my chosen field. Perhaps its you that is the jealous one? ps Bertha is a name, it is my name and Big Bertha is my nick name, TINY TONY

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Rebecca, says...
4:41pm Fri 16 Mar 07

I totally agree with comment by Big Bertha - why on earth would you study for 10 years and not go into that full time - what job does Dr. Kate do now I wonder and why did she decide not to follow through on her love of archaeology?

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millitant, monmouth says...
5:02pm Fri 16 Mar 07

All going home now? You have wasted your time on this when you should have been working.

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Steven Lowe, Australia says...
2:33am Sat 17 Mar 07

So, Dr Smith, can you give us a little hint of what was discovered? I don't expect to see this episode of the Time Team out here in Oz for a good long while, and I'd love to get some gen on it.

On the other hand, I CAN bring you up to date with who's about to die on "Neighbours"!

Steve from Oz

PS: I see the Argus still haven't got the century right, despite all the comments on this list.

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Rob, my house :) says...
8:39pm Sat 17 Mar 07

Ten years of study is a waste of tax payers money and time if you dont do anything with it
There are plenty of people with archaeology PhDs out there but not plenty of jobs for them all. Therefore 'choice' has very little to do with it. It's the same with a whole range of humanities subjects. Publishing the results of the research could be classed as 'doing something with it'.

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m.hunt, cardiff says...
9:51pm Sat 17 Mar 07

Has anybody out there seen mike hunt? I lost him in a field in Portskewett last century, I'm missing him dearly.

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Beryl Tadd, Caldicot says...
8:19am Sun 18 Mar 07

The last couple of contributions had obviously not been to have a look and listen while Time Team where there, else they would have known that no gardens were dug up and that Portskewett was more important in it's day than Chepstow. They would have also 'dug up' the fact that all members of the Team were extremely informative to any one who was interested in what they were doing at Portskewett.

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ann, PORTSKEWETT says...
10:01pm Sun 18 Mar 07

I agree that Time Team did a seriously good job with limited funds and time. Thanks to Kate they unearthed this history.Why can we not have a lottery grant to fund our History for this village.

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Kathryn, Portskewett says...
10:34pm Tue 20 Mar 07

As a genuinely interested resident of Portskewett I would like to thank Katie for putting her own time and energy into organising last weeks visit from the Time Team. We had a great time looking around and chatting to the people involved in the dig. They were never to busy to stop and let you know what they had found and what they were hoping to find. It was a very enjoyable and educational few days. It is a shame that they couldn't stay longer but hopefully now we know that there are definately remains of what seems to be a manor house under "Harolds Field", (Sorry all you local sceptics-but you WERE WRONG!), Cadw may take this project on if funding is available - Lets hope so!
For all the sincere postings above, please tune in next year and watch the programme. I'm sure you'll enjoy it....I can't wait.
And for the record, DOCTOR Kate Smith is extremely passionate about Archaeology and worked hard to gain her qualification. In an ideal world we would all have our ideal job! As for the people above who think that Kates or anyones education is a waste of taxpayers money.....its a pity that they didn't actually visit the dig instead of making useless time-wasting comments about something they obviously know nothing about!
Well done Kate - you've done Portskewett proud!!

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Rachel, Caldicot says...
6:47pm Fri 23 Mar 07

This is great news about the dig. I drove passed the Church and wondered what was happening. Wish i had known earlier as i would have gone for a look. When are they covering it back up?

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Comments are closed on this article.

BIG DIG: Timeteam in Portskewett with Tony Robinson (l) BIG DIG: Timeteam in Portskewett with Tony Robinson (l)

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