3.2 Oracle bone inscriptions

Oracle bone inscriptions offer a unique window into ancient Chinese society during the Shang dynasty. These artifacts, primarily turtle plastrons and ox scapulae, were used for divination by Shang kings and elites to seek guidance from ancestors on various matters.

The inscriptions on these bones represent the earliest known form of Chinese writing. They provide valuable insights into Shang religious beliefs, political structures, and daily life, covering topics from military campaigns to agricultural activities and royal rituals.

Origins of oracle bones

• Oracle bones are ancient Chinese artifacts used for divination during the Shang dynasty (1600-1046 BCE)
• The practice of divination using oracle bones provides insights into the religious, political, and social aspects of Shang society

Shang dynasty divination

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• Divination was a central practice in Shang religious and political life
• The Shang kings and elites sought guidance from ancestors and deities through divination
• Oracle bone divination involved posing questions to ancestors and interpreting answers from the cracks that appeared on the bones after being heated

Turtle plastrons and ox scapulae

• The two main types of bones used for oracle bone divination were turtle plastrons (underside of the shell) and ox scapulae (shoulder blades)
• Turtles were believed to have spiritual significance and a connection to the divine realm
• Ox scapulae were readily available and suitable for inscribing questions and recording answers

Preparation of bones for inscriptions

• The bones were carefully selected and prepared before being used for divination
• Turtle plastrons were cleaned, polished, and sometimes drilled with hollows to control the cracking patterns
• Ox scapulae were smoothed and shaped to create a flat surface for inscribing
• The prepared bones were then heated until cracks appeared, which were interpreted as answers from the ancestors

Oracle bone inscriptions

• Oracle bone inscriptions are the earliest known form of Chinese writing, dating back to the Shang dynasty
• The inscriptions provide valuable insights into Shang society, including religious beliefs, political structure, and daily life

Questions posed to ancestors

• The Shang kings and elites used oracle bones to seek guidance and approval from ancestors on various matters
• Questions were inscribed on the bones, covering topics such as military campaigns, hunting expeditions, agricultural activities, and royal rituals
• The questions often followed a formulaic structure, addressing the ancestors directly and seeking binary (yes/no) answers

Answers interpreted from cracks

• After the prepared bones were heated, cracks would appear on the surface
• The shape, direction, and location of the cracks were interpreted as answers from the ancestors
• Diviners, who were skilled in interpreting the cracks, would record the answers alongside the questions on the bones
• The interpretation of the cracks was based on a complex system of symbolism and established conventions

Topics covered in inscriptions

• Oracle bone inscriptions cover a wide range of topics related to Shang society and the concerns of the ruling elite
• Common themes include:
  • Military campaigns and battles
  • Hunting expeditions and tributes
  • Agricultural activities and weather predictions
  • Royal rituals and sacrifices
  • Appointments and political decisions
  • Health and well-being of the king and royal family

Evolution of inscriptions over time

• The oracle bone script evolved over the course of the Shang dynasty, becoming more standardized and stylized
• Early inscriptions were simpler and more pictographic, while later inscriptions showed increasing abstraction and complexity
• The evolution of the script reflects the development of the Chinese writing system and the increasing sophistication of Shang society
• Changes in the content and style of inscriptions also provide insights into shifts in Shang political and social structures

Archaeological discoveries

• The discovery and study of oracle bones have significantly contributed to our understanding of ancient Chinese history and the Shang dynasty

Anyang excavations in 1899

• The first major discovery of oracle bones occurred in 1899 in Anyang, Henan Province, which was later identified as the last capital of the Shang dynasty (Yin Ruins)
• Scholars recognized the inscribed bones as ancient Chinese writing, sparking interest in the study of oracle bones
• The Anyang excavations marked the beginning of systematic archaeological research into the Shang dynasty

Subsequent major finds

• Following the initial discovery at Anyang, numerous other oracle bone sites were identified and excavated
• Major finds include:
  • Xiaotun village in Anyang (1920s-1930s)
  • Huayuanzhuang village in Anyang (1950s)
  • Daxinzhuang in Jinan, Shandong Province (1970s)
• These discoveries have yielded tens of thousands of oracle bone fragments, providing a wealth of material for study

Geographical distribution of oracle bones

• Oracle bones have been found primarily in the central plains of China, corresponding to the core areas of the Shang dynasty
• The majority of oracle bones have been excavated in Henan Province, particularly in Anyang, the last Shang capital
• However, oracle bones have also been discovered in other regions, such as Shandong, Shanxi, and Hebei Provinces
• The geographical distribution of oracle bones suggests the extent of Shang influence and the spread of divination practices

Deciphering oracle bone script

• Deciphering the oracle bone script has been a challenging and ongoing process, requiring the efforts of numerous scholars over the past century

Challenges in interpretation

• The oracle bone script is an early form of Chinese writing, with many characters that are no longer in use or have evolved significantly
• The script is highly pictographic and often lacks the standardization and consistency of later Chinese writing
• Damage to the bones and incomplete inscriptions further complicate the interpretation process
• Understanding the context and cultural background of the inscriptions is crucial for accurate decipherment

Key scholars and contributions

• Several notable scholars have made significant contributions to the decipherment of oracle bone script:
  • Wang Yirong (1845-1900): Recognized the bones as ancient Chinese writing and laid the foundation for oracle bone studies
  • Luo Zhenyu (1866-1940): Compiled and published early collections of oracle bone inscriptions, promoting their study
  • Dong Zuobin (1895-1963): Developed a chronology of Shang kings based on oracle bone inscriptions and advanced decipherment methods
  • Guo Moruo (1892-1978): Made significant progress in interpreting oracle bone script and linking it to traditional Chinese histories

Advancements in understanding

• Continuous archaeological discoveries and scholarly research have greatly expanded our understanding of oracle bone script
• Comparative studies with later forms of Chinese writing, such as bronze inscriptions and bamboo manuscripts, have aided in the decipherment process
• Technological advancements, such as high-resolution imaging and digital databases, have facilitated the analysis and sharing of oracle bone inscriptions
• Collaborative efforts among scholars from various disciplines, including archaeology, history, and linguistics, have contributed to a more comprehensive understanding of the script and its context

Historical significance

• Oracle bone inscriptions are of immense historical significance, providing invaluable insights into the Shang dynasty and the origins of Chinese civilization

Insights into Shang society

• The inscriptions offer a glimpse into the political, social, and religious aspects of Shang society
• They reveal the central role of divination in Shang decision-making and the relationship between the kings and their ancestors
• The content of the inscriptions sheds light on the Shang economy, warfare, agriculture, and social hierarchies
• Oracle bones provide a unique perspective on Shang life, complementing and corroborating other archaeological and textual evidence

Royal divination practices

• Oracle bone inscriptions are primarily associated with the divination practices of Shang kings and the royal court
• The inscriptions demonstrate the importance of seeking divine guidance in all aspects of royal life, from military campaigns to personal well-being
• The frequency and variety of questions posed to ancestors reveal the centrality of divination in Shang political and religious ideology
• The practice of royal divination reflects the Shang belief in the power of ancestors to influence the living world

Development of Chinese writing system

• Oracle bone script is the earliest known form of Chinese writing, marking a crucial stage in the development of the Chinese writing system
• The inscriptions provide valuable insights into the origins and evolution of Chinese characters
• Many of the pictographic and ideographic elements found in oracle bone script can be traced to later forms of Chinese writing, such as seal script and clerical script
• The standardization and abstraction of characters over time, as evidenced in oracle bone inscriptions, laid the foundation for the development of the modern Chinese writing system

Verification of traditional histories

• Oracle bone inscriptions have played a significant role in verifying and supplementing traditional Chinese historical accounts
• The inscriptions contain names of Shang kings, battles, and events that were previously known only through later textual sources, such as the Bamboo Annals and the Records of the Grand Historian
• The discovery of oracle bones has provided archaeological evidence to support the existence and chronology of the Shang dynasty, which was once doubted by some scholars
• The inscriptions have also revealed new information about Shang history and culture that was not recorded in traditional histories, expanding our understanding of this ancient civilization

Oracle bones as physical artifacts

• Beyond their textual content, oracle bones are also significant as physical artifacts that provide insights into Shang material culture and craftsmanship

Materials and production techniques

• Oracle bones were primarily made from turtle plastrons and ox scapulae, which were carefully selected and prepared for divination
• The bones were cleaned, polished, and sometimes drilled with hollows to control the cracking patterns
• The preparation process required skilled craftsmanship and knowledge of the properties of different bone materials
• The choice of turtle plastrons and ox scapulae reflects the Shang understanding of the spiritual significance and suitability of these materials for divination

Inscribing methods and tools

• Inscriptions were made on the prepared oracle bones using sharp tools, such as bronze knives or awls
• The characters were carefully carved into the bone surface, following the contours and natural features of the material
• The depth, width, and style of the inscriptions varied depending on the skill of the inscriber and the purpose of the divination
• Some inscriptions were filled with pigments, such as cinnabar or ink, to enhance their visibility and permanence

Preservation and conservation

• Oracle bones have survived for over 3,000 years, thanks to a combination of favorable burial conditions and careful preservation
• Many oracle bones were buried in pits or storage areas within Shang settlements, protecting them from damage and decay
• The dry, alkaline soil of the central plains of China has helped to preserve the bones and their inscriptions
• Modern conservation techniques, such as controlled storage environments and non-invasive imaging methods, are used to ensure the long-term preservation of oracle bones for future study

Scholarly debates and mysteries

• Despite the significant progress made in the study of oracle bones, many questions and debates remain among scholars

Unanswered questions about origins

• The exact origins of oracle bone divination practices are still unclear, with scholars debating whether they emerged during the Shang dynasty or have earlier roots
• The relationship between oracle bone divination and other forms of divination, such as scapulimancy and plastromancy, is also a subject of ongoing research
• Questions remain about the spread and regional variations of oracle bone divination practices within the Shang realm and beyond

Controversies in translations

• The interpretation and translation of oracle bone inscriptions can be challenging due to the nature of the script and the context-dependent meaning of the characters
• Scholars may disagree on the reading and interpretation of certain characters or phrases, leading to debates about the content and significance of the inscriptions
• The ambiguity and polysemy of some characters can result in multiple possible translations, requiring careful analysis and comparison with other inscriptions and historical sources

Ongoing research and discoveries

• The study of oracle bones is an active and evolving field, with new discoveries and research constantly reshaping our understanding of these artifacts and the Shang dynasty
• Ongoing excavations continue to uncover new oracle bone fragments, adding to the corpus of known inscriptions and providing fresh material for analysis
• Advances in technology, such as 3D scanning and digital imaging, are opening up new avenues for the study and preservation of oracle bones
• Collaborative research projects and international conferences facilitate the exchange of ideas and findings among scholars from different disciplines and institutions, driving the field forward