What was Oracle bone writing?
Quick Answer
Oracle bone writing was an early form of Chinese writing carved on animal bones and turtle shells. It was used for divination during the Shang dynasty, around 1200 BCE.
The Full Story
Oracle bone inscriptions are among the earliest known examples of Chinese writing. Shang royal diviners carved questions onto ox scapulae and turtle plastrons, then heated them until cracks formed, which were interpreted as answers from ancestral spirits. These inscriptions recorded matters such as warfare, harvests, weather, and royal births. They are crucial evidence for the earliest written history of China and the development of Chinese characters.
Key Facts
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