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entrance. A vertical shaft, almost 5 meters wide, accesses the tunnel: it goes 14 meters deep, and the entrance leads to a nearly 100-meter-long corridor that ends in a series of underground galleries in the rock. After archaeologists broke ground at the entrance of the tunnel, a staircase and ladders (and later an elevator) were installed to allow easy access to the subterranean site. Work advanced at a slow and careful pace. Excavating was done manually, with spades. Nearly 1,000 tons of soil and debris were removed from the tunnel. The rich array of objects unearthed included: large
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391:. The pyramid also is thought to contain two hundred and sixty feathered serpent heads between the platforms. Each of these feathered serpents also contains an open area in its mouth. This open area is big enough to put a place holder in. Thus, it is believed that the people of Teotihuacán would move this place marker around the pyramid to represent the ritual calendar. When a spiritual day would arrive the people would gather within the walls of the Ciudadela and celebrate the ritual.
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accompanied by the remains of weapons and accoutrements, such as necklaces of human teeth, that lead researchers to conclude that they were warriors, probably warriors in service to
Teotihuacan rather than captives from opposing armies. The richness of the burial goods generally increases toward the center of the pyramid. At least three degrees of status have been identified, although there is no indication of a dead ruler or other obvious focal point.
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247:, and supposed he was now observing a kind of similar mirror tunnel, leading to a subterranean chamber beneath Temple of the Feathered Serpent. He decided initially to elaborate a clear hypothesis and to obtain approval. Meanwhile, he erected a tent over the sinkhole to preserve it from the hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit Teotihuacán. Researchers reported that the tunnel was believed to have been sealed in 200 CE.
51:, is also used for the whole civilization and cultural complex associated with the site). This structure is notable partly due to the discovery in the 1980s of more than a hundred possibly sacrificial victims found buried beneath the structure. The burials, like the structure, are dated to between 150 and 200 CE. The pyramid takes its name from representations of the Mesoamerican "
359:
Teotihuacan, guiding pilgrims to the sanctuary, and carrying bundles of sacred objects used to perform rituals, including pendants and pyrite mirrors, which were perceived as portals to other realms. The walls and ceiling of the tunnel were found to have been carefully impregnated with mineral powder composed of
338:, "Pyrite was certainly used by the Teotihuacanos and other ancient Mesoamerican societies. Originally the spheres would have shone brilliantly. They are indeed unique, but I have no idea what they mean." All these artifacts were deposited deliberately and pointedly, as if in offering to appease the gods.
406:
An interesting feature of the
Feathered Serpent Pyramid is that there are examples of a shift in power or ideology in Teotihuacán and for the Pyramid itself. The construction of the Adosada platform came much later than the Feathered Serpent Pyramid. The Adosada platform is built directly in front
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of the full feathered serpent, in profile, also associated with water symbols. These and other designs and architectural elements are more than merely decorative, suggesting "strong ideological significance", although there is no consensus just what that significance is. Some interpret the pyramid's
87:
surrounding the temple. The
Ciudadela’s courtyard is massive enough that it could house the entire adult population of Teotihuacán within its walls, which was estimated to be one hundred thousand people at its peak. Within the Ciudadela there are several monumental structures, including the temple,
370:
After each new segment was cleared, the 3D scanner documented the progress. By 2015 nearly 75,000 fragments of artifacts have been discovered, studied, cataloged, analyzed and, when possible, restored. The significance of these new discoveries is publicly explored in a major exhibition which opened
411:
In 378 a group of
Teotihuacanos organized a coup d'etat in Tikal, Guatemala. This was not the Teotihuacan state; it was a group of the Feathered-Serpent people, thrown out from the city. The Feathered-Serpent Pyramid was burnt, all the sculptures were torn from the temple, and another platform was
297:
It was mentioned that the underground passage runs under
Feathered Serpent Temple, and the entrance is located a few meters away from the temple at the expected place, designedly sealed with large boulders nearly 2,000 years ago. The hole that had appeared during the 2003 storms was not the actual
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Today the pyramid is largely hidden by the
Adosada platform hinting at a political restructuring of Teotihuacan during the fourth century CE, perhaps a "rejection of autocratic rule" in favour of a collective leadership. Following excavations in the early 20th century, a section of a façade on the
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and a team of some 20 archaeologists and workers the approximate length of the tunnel and the presence of internal chambers. They scanned the earth under the
Ciudadela, returning every afternoon to upload the results to GĂłmez's computers. By 2005, the digital map was complete. The archaeologists
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burials were found at the pyramid, believed to be carried out as part of the dedication of the temple. The burials are grouped in various locations, the significance of which is not yet understood. While there are burials of both men and women, the males outnumber the females. The males were
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statues, wearing garments and beads, and their open eyes would have shone with precious minerals. Two of the figurines were still in their original positions, leaning back and apparently contemplating up at the axis where the three planes of the universe meet – probably the founding shamans of
242:
First trying to examine the hole with a flashlight from above GĂłmez could see only darkness, so tied with a line of heavy rope around his waist he was lowered by several colleagues, and descending into the murk he realized it was a perfectly cylindrical shaft. At the bottom he came to rest in
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announced the advancement of investigation conducted by INAH in the tunnel closed nearly 1,800 years ago by
Teotihuacan dwellers. INAH team, consisted of about 30 persons supported with national and international advisors of the highest scientific level, intended to enter the tunnel in
154:
monument's west side was discovered. This section is believed to date from the late 3rd century. Fantastic and rare carvings on the surfaces show depictions of the feathered serpent deity, other gods, and seashells on panels on either side of a staircase.
521:"In the 1980s several mass graves were discovered under the temple. In all, 137 bodies were discovered, and it seems that the people were probably sacrificed when the temple was built, since their hands were tied behind their backs..."
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At the end of the tunnel is a chamber representing the underworld, or a microcosm of the
Teotihuacan civilization. About 17 metres beneath the pyramid's center, a miniature mountainous landscape was used to hold objects, including a
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glass to be put in, so when the light hits, its eyes would glimmer. In antiquity the entire pyramid was painted – the background here was blue with carved sea shells providing decoration. Under each row of heads are
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of the pyramid and blocks its front view. Thus, it is thought that the political leaders lost favor or that the ideology of the
Feathered Serpent Pyramid lost virtue, and so was covered up by the Adosada.
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located the entrance to the tunnel that leads to galleries under the pyramid, where the remains of rulers of the ancient city might have been deposited. In August 2010 Gómez Chávez, director of
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apparently ancient construction – a man-made tunnel, blocked in both directions by immense stones. Gómez was aware that archaeologists had previously discovered a narrow tunnel underneath the
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to perform three dimensional register of the spaces beneath the temple. A small opening in the tunnel wall was made and the scanner captured the first images, 37 meters into the passage.
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claims, somewhat similarly, that they probably represent the "fire serpent" wearing a headdress with the Teotihuacan symbol for war. In the eyes of these figures there is a spot for
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The Temple of the Feathered Serpent was not only a religious center but also a political center. The rulers of Teotihuacán were not only the leaders of men; they were also the
310:, elaborate necklaces, rings, greenstone crocodile teeth and human figurines, crystals shaped into eyes, beetle wings arranged in a box, sculptures of jaguars, and hundreds of
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Detail of the pyramid, showing the alternating "Tlaloc" (left) and feathered serpent (right) heads. Note the long undulating feathered serpents in profile under the heads.
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have caused deterioration and loss of stone on the surface. Tourist visitation also accelerated the deterioration. In 2004, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl was listed in the
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Preliminary planning of the exploration and fundraising took more than six years. Before the start of excavations, beginning in the early months of 2004, Dr.
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style. The outside edges of each level are decorated with feathered serpent heads alternating with those of another snake-like creature, often identified as
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55:" deity which covered its sides. These are some of the earliest-known representations of the feathered serpent, often identified with the much-later
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Adosada platform in the midground, Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent behind the platform, person beside a small platform in the foreground gives scale
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platform. Built in the 4th century, the Adosada platform is located just in front (west) of the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, obscuring its view.
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A reconstruction of the Ciudadela. The Temple of the Feathered Serpent can be seen at the upper center, with the Adosada directly in front of it.
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in scope – a myth of the origin of time or of creation – or as calendrical in nature. Others find symbols of rulership, or war and the military.
367:, providing a special brightness to the place and to give the effect of standing under the stars as a peculiar re-creation of the underworld.
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660:
890:(1993) "Human Sacrifice at the Temple of the Feathered Serpent: Recent Discoveries at Teotihuacan" Kathleen Berrin, Esther Pasztory, eds.,
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The Temple of the Feathered Serpent is located at the southern end of the Avenue of the Dead, Teotihuacan's main thoroughfare, within the
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spheres. The mysterious globes lay in both the north and south chambers. Ranging from 40 to 130 millimetres, the balls have a core of
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site, was part of the commemorations of the 100th anniversary of archaeological excavations at Teotihuacan and its opening to public.
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1027:(2004) "Victims of the Victims, Human trophies worn by sacrificed soldiers from the Feathered Serpent Pyramid, Teotihuacan",
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leaders of the city. The two mansions near the pyramid are thought to have been occupied by powerful families.
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63:. "Temple of the Feathered Serpent" is the modern-day name for the structure; it is also known as the
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718:"Teotihuacan: City of Water, City of Fire. De Young Museum, September 30, 2017 – February 11, 2018"
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In 2009, the government granted GĂłmez permission to dig. By the end of 2009 archaeologists of the
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In late 2003 a tunnel beneath the Temple of the Feathered Serpent was accidentally discovered by
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Teotihuacan tunnel - entrance located. Archaeologists Locate the Entrance to Teotihuacan Tunnel
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693:"Lakes of mercury and human sacrifices – after 1,800 years, Teotihuacan reveals its treasures"
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Since the structure has been exposed to the elements for the entire duration of its history,
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A summary of the possible iconographic interpretation can be found in Spence et al., p. 1.
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954:, Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies, Inc., accessed September 2008.
302:, jaguar bones, pottery, fragments of human skin, wooden masks covered with inlaid rock
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complex. The Ciudadela (Spanish, "citadel") is a structure with high walls and a large
777:"First Images of the Interior of Teotihuacan Tunnel Captured by Camera on Small Robot"
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There was an apparent correlation between the Temple of the Feathered Serpent and the
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235:(INAH). After days of heavy rain Gómez Chávez noticed that a nearly three-foot-wide
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Spence, Michael W.; Christine D. White, Fred J. Longstaffe, and Kimberley R. Law
661:"A Secret Tunnel Found in Mexico May Finally Solve the Mysteries of Teotihuacán"
190:. The organization provided assistance for conservation in cooperation with the
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865:"Teotihuacan: An Exceptional Multiethnic City in Pre-Hispanic Central Mexico"
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World Monuments Fund - Teotihuacan Archaeological Site - Quetzalcoatl Temple
952:"Ritual Sacrifice and the Feathered Serpent Pyramid at Teotihuacán, México"
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964:, Diane Z. Chase, Arlen F. Chase, eds., University of Oklahoma Press,
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846:"Liquid mercury found under Mexican pyramid could lead to king's tomb"
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in some of the tiny valleys represented lakes. Also found were four
921:(5th edition, revised and enlarged ed.). London and New York:
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View of the Pyramid architectural detail to the left of the steps
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September–October 2010. This excavation, the deepest made at the
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claim that these heads may represent a "war serpent", while
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Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent and the Adosada platform
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Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent and the Adosada platform
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The Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya
976:Hendon, Julia A.; Joyce, Rosemary A., eds. (2003).
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960:(2003) "Social Differentiation at Teotihuacan" in
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830:. Season 2. 1 June 2016. Event occurs at 31, 38.
801:"Robot finds mysterious spheres in ancient temple"
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962:Mesoamerican Elites: An Archaeological Assessment
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623:National Institute of Anthropology and History (
734:"Experts: Ancient Mexicans crossbred wolf-dogs"
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239:occurred near the foot of the temple pyramid.
233:National Institute of Anthropology and History
978:Mesoamerican Archaeology: Theory and Practice
192:Instituto Nacional de AntropologĂa e Historia
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112:The Feathered Serpent Pyramid is a six-level
869:Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) at
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892:Teotihuacan, Art from the City of the Gods
627:), Mexico. Press release, 3 August 2010.
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270:, equipped with an infrared camera and a
231:and Julie Gazzola, archaeologists of the
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350:) representing the Sun. Pools of liquid
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98:
18:
1102:Buildings and structures in Mesoamerica
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92:north and south of the temple, and the
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898:, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco,
742:(Science X network), December 16, 2010
659:Matthew Shaer, Janet Jarman (photos).
917:Mexico: from the Olmecs to the Aztecs
819:
817:
815:
756:"Tunnel found under temple in Mexico"
633:Universes in Universe - Worlds of Art
371:at the end of September 2017 at the
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412:built to efface the facade ...
23:The Temple of the Feathered Serpent
13:
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509:"Teotihuacan Ciudadela", MexicoWeb
287:Tlalocan Project: Underground Road
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764:(Science X network), May 30, 2011
854:, Friday 24 April 2015 22.23 BST
809:, Tuesday April 30, 2013 2:37 PM
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31:is the third largest pyramid at
1045:Teotihuacan Research Laboratory
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539:Miller and Taube (1993), p.162.
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29:Temple of the Feathered Serpent
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318:and are covered with a yellow
16:Pyramid in Teotihuacan, Mexico
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1050:Ancient Mesoamerica (journal)
1010:. London: Thames and Hudson.
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252:Victor Manuel Velasco Herrera
254:determined with the help of
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874:, Wednesday, April 15, 2015
607:Cowgill (2003), p. 210-211.
578:Cowgill (2003), p. 211-212.
259:explored the tunnel with a
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184:2004 World Monuments Watch
158:Condition and conservation
548:Miller & Taube p. 162
69:Feathered Serpent Pyramid
1031:, vol. 5, pp. 1–15.
980:. Blackwell Publishing.
383:Relation to the calendar
336:Arizona State University
256:ground-penetrating radar
752:Deutsche Presse-Agentur
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210:Burials at the pyramid
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104:
65:Temple of Quetzalcoatl
24:
913:; Rex Koontz (2002).
888:Castro, Ruben Cabrera
863:Linda R. Manzanilla.
824:"Lost Mexican City".
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348:Mesoamerican ballgame
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170:, crystallization of
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666:Smithsonian Magazine
395:Political influences
214:Two hundred or more
188:World Monuments Fund
1073:19.6818°N 98.8461°W
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1029:Ancient Mesoamerica
923:Thames & Hudson
783:, November 12, 2010
701:, 24 September 2017
229:Sergio Gómez Chávez
194:and with help from
996:Miller, Mary Ellen
958:Cowgill, George L.
948:Cowgill, George L.
827:Expedition Unknown
799:Rossella Lorenzi.
245:Pyramid of the Sun
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1078:19.6818; -98.8461
970:978-0-8061-3542-7
896:Thames and Hudson
261:remote-controlled
223:Later discoveries
180:biological growth
126:Mary Ellen Miller
53:feathered serpent
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806:NBCNews.com
669:, June 2016
560:Coe, p. 98.
344:rubber ball
216:sacrificial
168:groundwater
143:bas-reliefs
45:Teotihuacan
33:Teotihuacan
1091:Categories
1064:98°50′46″W
1061:19°40′54″N
1000:Karl Taube
496:References
356:greenstone
312:metallized
130:Karl Taube
43:(the term
401:spiritual
361:magnetite
324:oxidation
85:courtyard
81:Ciudadela
1002:(1993).
941:50131575
781:ArtDaily
761:Phys.org
739:Phys.org
389:calendar
365:hematite
320:jarosite
237:sinkhole
138:obsidian
90:mansions
75:Location
67:and the
950:(2002)
882:Sources
530:Castro.
417:Gallery
352:mercury
266:called
186:by the
176:erosion
94:Adosada
1014:
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939:
929:
902:
754:GmbH.
720:, 2017
490:Stairs
328:pyrite
308:quartz
178:, and
122:Tlaloc
41:Mexico
334:from
264:robot
57:Aztec
47:, or
1012:ISBN
982:ISBN
966:ISBN
937:OCLC
927:ISBN
900:ISBN
625:INAH
316:clay
306:and
304:jade
283:INAH
166:and
164:rain
128:and
88:two
59:god
35:, a
27:The
375:in
326:of
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998:;
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894:,
867:,
848:,
814:^
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788:^
779:,
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758:,
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