6.9 Research Questions

The questions below apply specifically to the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age period in the Highlands. Some research questions in the Land and Environment section 3.9 may also apply to this period.

Many research questions from the original National ScARF and other regional research frameworks are also relevant and applicable in the Highlands. These will soon be all be searchable and available all together through our our new digital platform facility.

Environmental

HARF Qu 6.10: What was the nature and extent of the beneficial and harmful impacts of Chalcolithic and Bronze Age human settlement and land-use on the environment?

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Use available data and targeted new studies to then assess what was the nature and extent of the beneficial and harmful impacts of Bronze Age human settlement and landuse on the environment. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

Settlement

HARF Qu 6.1: Where are the settlement sites for the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age in the Highlands?

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Where were people living before 1800 BC? 

 

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.12: Were Highland burnt mound sites used for cooking, other activites of both?

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Further analysis of burnt mounds in the Highlands needed to examine chronological and regional differences, their relationship to domestic settlement, and to aid discussion on functions of these monuments.  
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.15: What were the function of various off-site archaeology features Are there regional and chronological distinctions eg unassociated pits, hearths, post holes, embankments etc) and are there any regional or chronological differences?

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Better understand the off-site archaeology (unassociated pits, hearths, postholes, embankments, etc). Are there regional or chronological distinctions? As in the Neolithic period, better understanding of what pits were used for and how they relate to settlement is needed. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.2: Where were people living before 1800 BC? 

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More information:
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.3: Why are domestic or ritual sites located where we find them? 

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We need more large landscape-wide surveys to complement that done at Lairg, ideally in other topographies (coastal, lowland) and in areas with little evidence (Lochaber, Badenoch and Strathspey) with collaborative projects involving archaeologists, geologists, soil scientists, ecologists and palynologists. The site of Little Rogart / Loch Farlary would be a good place for further investigation, with a good RCAHMS survey as a basis, combined with initial investigations at Loch Farlary.  
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.4: What was the Bronze Age interrelationship with the wild space and how this changed through time eg through woodland changes. 

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We need more large landscape-wide surveys to complement that done at Lairg, ideally in other topographies (coastal, lowland) and in areas with little evidence (Lochaber, Badenoch and Strathspey) with collaborative projects involving archaeologists, geologists, soil scientists, ecologists and palynologists. The site of Little Rogart / Loch Farlary would be a good place for further investigation, with a good RCAHMS survey as a basis, combined with initial investigations at Loch Farlary.  
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.5: How are landuse and landscape change interrelated spatially and chronologically? 

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We need more large landscape-wide surveys to complement that done at Lairg, ideally in other topographies (coastal, lowland) and in areas with little evidence (Lochaber, Badenoch and Strathspey) with collaborative projects involving archaeologists, geologists, soil scientists, ecologists and palynologists. The site of Little Rogart / Loch Farlary would be a good place for further investigation, with a good RCAHMS survey as a basis, combined with initial investigations at Loch Farlary.  
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.6: How did architecture and landuse vary in space and time through the various natural landscapes of the region? 

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We need more large landscape-wide surveys to complement that done at Lairg, ideally in other topographies (coastal, lowland) and in areas with little evidence (Lochaber, Badenoch and Strathspey) with collaborative projects involving archaeologists, geologists, soil scientists, ecologists and palynologists. The site of Little Rogart / Loch Farlary would be a good place for further investigation, with a good RCAHMS survey as a basis, combined with initial investigations at Loch Farlary.  
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.7: What was the full chain of production, acquisition and use of farm land soils. 

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We need more large landscape-wide surveys to complement that done at Lairg, ideally in other topographies (coastal, lowland) and in areas with little evidence (Lochaber, Badenoch and Strathspey) with collaborative projects involving archaeologists, geologists, soil scientists, ecologists and palynologists. The site of Little Rogart / Loch Farlary would be a good place for further investigation, with a good RCAHMS survey as a basis, combined with initial investigations at Loch Farlary.  
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.8: Where were the territorial markers and built boundaries?

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We need more large landscape-wide surveys to complement that done at Lairg, ideally in other topographies (coastal, lowland) and in areas with little evidence (Lochaber, Badenoch and Strathspey) with collaborative projects involving archaeologists, geologists, soil scientists, ecologists and palynologists. The site of Little Rogart / Loch Farlary would be a good place for further investigation, with a good RCAHMS survey as a basis, combined with initial investigations at Loch Farlary.  
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.9: Can we identify transhumance activity in the archaeological record for this period? 

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More information:
We need more large landscape-wide surveys to complement that done at Lairg, ideally in other topographies (coastal, lowland) and in areas with little evidence (Lochaber, Badenoch and Strathspey) with collaborative projects involving archaeologists, geologists, soil scientists, ecologists and palynologists. The site of Little Rogart / Loch Farlary would be a good place for further investigation, with a good RCAHMS survey as a basis, combined with initial investigations at Loch Farlary.  
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

Daily Life and Diagnostic Artefacts

HARF Qu 6.11: What evidence is there of domestic animals and hunting from Chalcolithic and Bronze Age sites in the Highlands?

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This evidence needs to be pulled together from sites with good bone preservation. Can evidence be obtained to assess blood line management?
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.13: How did Chalcolithic and Bronze Age people preserve their meat?

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Was salt needed?
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.14: Are there any unique characteristics of Chalcolithic and Bronze Age artefacts?

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Integrate and synthesise current archaeological knowledge of Chalcolithic and Bronze Age landscape archaeology from Highland Scotland with knowledge from similar geographically located places in Europe to understand the nature and extent of heterogeneity in Bronze Age Europe and the unique characters, if any, of the Highland Bronze Age artefacts. 

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.16: What was the overall Beaker ceramic repertoire, and how did it vary over time? Can we identify different uses for different kinds of Beaker within the repertoire (ie storage, cooking, serving)?

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Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.17: What was the developmental sequence for Food Vessel tradition in the Highland Region?

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Further dating is needed to fill in the chronological gaps and especially to clarify the developmental sequence for the Food Vessel tradition in the Highland Region.
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.18: Are there any diagnostic elements, chronological or regional patterns for stone tools and querns in the Highlands?

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Information about dated stone tools in the Highlands should be brought together to assess whether there are any diagnostic elements (for example on querns) or chronological or regional patterns. Sources of stone need to be integrated into the study. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

Burial and Ritual

HARF Qu 6.19: What were the ritual or ceremonial processes within and surrounding a grave?

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More information:
There is a need to understand much better how Chalcolithic and Bronze Age people disposed of their dead, in Highland and in comparison to other areas, particularly during the Middle and Late Bronze Age, with excavation/post-excavation projects designed to produce more information
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.20: How were the dead treated outwith the grave?

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More information:
There is a need to understand much better how Chalcolithic and Bronze Age people disposed of their dead, in Highland and in comparison to other areas, particularly during the Middle and Late Bronze Age, with excavation/post-excavation projects designed to produce more information
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.21: How did ritual and ceremonial rites and practices change over time?

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More information:
There is a need to understand much better how Chalcolithic and Bronze Age people disposed of their dead, in Highland and in comparison to other areas, particularly during the Middle and Late Bronze Age, with excavation/post-excavation projects designed to produce more information
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.22: What was the chronology and processes of the loss of identity of the buried person and of the deliberate or accidental descration of the burial place?

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More information:
There is a need to understand much better how Chalcolithic and Bronze Age people disposed of their dead, in Highland and in comparison to other areas, particularly during the Middle and Late Bronze Age, with excavation/post-excavation projects designed to produce more information
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.23: What was the interrelationships of the living and landscapes of the dead?

More information on this question
More information:
There is a need to understand much better how Chalcolithic and Bronze Age people disposed of their dead, in Highland and in comparison to other areas, particularly during the Middle and Late Bronze Age, with excavation/post-excavation projects designed to produce more information
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.24: What is happenning in areas, such as Strathspey, Badenoch and the northwest Highlands where there is very little information?

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More information:
There is a need to understand much better how Chalcolithic and Bronze Age people disposed of their dead, in Highland and in comparison to other areas, particularly during the Middle and Late Bronze Age, with excavation/post-excavation projects designed to produce more information
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.25: Can we identify overlap of new migrants burial practices with native practices? 

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More information:
There is a need to understand much better how Chalcolithic and Bronze Age people disposed of their dead, in Highland and in comparison to other areas, particularly during the Middle and Late Bronze Age, with excavation/post-excavation projects designed to produce more information on the transition from Neolithic funerary practices to cist burials/Beaker burials, and to determine whether there are regional differences.
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.26: What were the links between burials and settlements?

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Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.27: Are the stone circles contemporary with Clava-type cairns?

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Further investigation of Clava-type cairns is still needed, including variations in form and architecture, use and re-use in the Bronze Age and later, and phasing of monuments. Were the stone circles contemporary or later?
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.28: Are there any dating differences of cists placed in centres of their own cairns compared to those inserted into Neolithic monuments or Clava-type cairn structures? 

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Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.29: What were domestic Beaker assemblages used for and what it their relationship to funerary types?

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Further investigation of ‘‘domestic’’ Beaker assemblages and their relationship to funerary types. Residue analysis may shed light on what they were used for. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.30: How many small henge sites have funerial remains and are they primary and secondary?

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Further investigation of small henge sites, ideally with burials, to place the excavations at Pullyhour and Achinduich in context. How many have funerial remains, and are they primary or secondary? Is it possible to determine these sites before excavation?  
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

Craft and Industry

HARF Qu 6.31: What was the nature of quarrying, use of and movement of lithics (quartz, flint, chert), coarse stone, cist-slabs and talc, including more attention to uses of quartz and the location of flint sources of Highland lithics

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More attention whould be paid to uses of quartz and the location of flint sources of Highland lithics. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.32: What was the full chain of production, acquisition and use of ceramics though time, including location of kiln sites;

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More information:
There is a need to much better understand how Bronze Age people acquired their resources, with excavation/post excavation projects designed to answer these questions.
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.33: What was the full chain of production, acquisition and use of metal objects?

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Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.34:  What was the full chain of production, acquisition and use of organic materials such as wood, plant fibres and plant-based food stuffs

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Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.35: Where is gold coming from into the Highlands?

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Lead isotope analysis of gold objects is needed to investigate links with other regions as suggested by typology, eg cup-ended ornaments links with Ireland 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.36: Can evidence be brought to bear on whether copper from the Highlands was used in Bronze Age metalworking? 

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Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.37: What was the significance of the Highland Region in the Late Bronze Age metalworking industry?

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Knowing now that we have sites like Seafield West and Bellfield, re-excavation of historic excavations with metalworking evidence eg Stittenham Rosskeen (MHG8165) might shed further light on production sites. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.38: Can tin-enriched axes in the Highlands be linked to manufacturing evidence?

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More work is needed on tin-enriched axes in the Highlands, compared to Scottish distribution.
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.39: Where did the lignitic material used to make disc beads in the Culduthel belt come from?

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More work is needed on sourcing the possibly lignitic material used to make the tiny disc beads in the Culduthel belt 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

Transport and Movement

HARF Qu 6.40: What were the routeways, roadways, trackways and rivers used by Bronze Age people?

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There is a need to better understand movement of Bronze Age people through and beyond the region, with excavation/post-excavation projects designed to better understand the archaeology of Bronze Age routeways, roadways, trackways and river transport. Locations that might relate to Bronze Age routeways are peat basins that block a natural route way.
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.41: How did materials, objects, foodstuffs or livestock that Bronze Age people moved through the region?

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Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.42: What was the interplay of routeways with landscapes of ritual or landscapes of ownership?

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Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.43: What is the full picture of movement of migrating and native populations?

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More information:
More analysis of DNA &and isotopes to try and get a fuller picture of migration and native populations (see above 6.6). This will need information on late Neolithic evidence to compare with. Then patterns should be compared to other regions. Is Culduthel man the only indication of Irish origin? 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 6.44: Is the Culduthel male the only indication of Irish origin?

More information on this question
More information:
More analysis of DNA &and isotopes to try and get a fuller picture of migration and native populations (see above 6.6). This will need information on late Neolithic evidence to compare with. Then patterns should be compared to other regions. Is Culduthel man the only indication of Irish origin? 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

Conflict

HARF Qu 6.45: Were weapons used in combat or for other purposes?

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More information:
Wear analysis of weapons combined with those from experimental activities could shed light on whether these objects were used in combat. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

Are there research recommendations that you think are missing?

Why not add your comment below which will be flagged to ScARF (or get in touch with ScARF directly) and new questions will be considered for addition at the next revision.

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