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> This structure of steel is a monument to the god Exxon, a chthonic deity whom the ancients believed was responsible for mineral wealth and the underworld. Like similar such monuments, it includes a deep well, whereupon sacrifices could be made to the ancestors or Exxon himself, or his mole men servants. Of course nowadays, we know there is no hidden world underground.

What point is that supposed to make? No one's making that error here. They know these ancient mines were mines; they're not going "dunno what this is, must be a temple."

So maybe in this case these mines are indeed a temple!

+1 for using chthonic in a coherent sentence.

Did you ever read David Macaulay's "Motel of the Mysteries"?