Oracle Bones

Oracle bones

Animal bones used for pyro-osteomantic divination rituals in East Asia, representing some of the earliest written texts in ancient China.

Pyro-osteomancy

The process of interpreting cracks that appear in heated bones, typically by a trained expert.

Yinxu

An archaeological site in Anyang, Henan, known for Bronze Age oracle bones and their inscriptions.

Shang Dynasty

The Chinese dynasty that lasted from around 1600 BCE to 1046 BCE, during which oracle bone burning was most common.

Ritual inscriptions

Records made on oracle bones after divination ceremonies, reflecting events or decisions.

Divination practices

Techniques employed to predict the future or gain insights through rituals, such as burning bones.

4th millennium BCE

The time period during which the earliest oracle bones in China were dated.

Bone artifacts

Physical objects made from bone, such as oracle bones, that provide insight into ancient cultures.

Dynamic and unpredictable world

The environment faced by ancient Chinese societies, which was understood through divining practices.

Decision making

The process by which the royal court of the Shang Dynasty used oracle bones for prognostication.