9.1 Oracle bone script

Oracle bone script, the earliest known Chinese writing, dates back to the Shang dynasty (1600-1046 BCE). Used for divination, it provides invaluable insights into Shang society, politics, and religion. The script was primarily inscribed on turtle plastrons and ox scapulae.

Discovered in the late 19th century near Anyang, Henan province, oracle bones have revolutionized our understanding of early Chinese civilization. Their study has shed light on the origins of Chinese writing, ancient religious practices, and the development of the Chinese language.

Origins of oracle bone script

• Oracle bone script is the earliest known form of Chinese writing, dating back to the Shang dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BCE)
• The script was used primarily for divination purposes, where questions were inscribed on bones or shells, which were then heated until they cracked, and the cracks were interpreted as answers from ancestral spirits
• The majority of oracle bones were found in the Shang capital of Yin, near present-day Anyang, Henan province, providing valuable insights into the political, social, and religious aspects of Shang society

Shang dynasty usage

• Oracle bone script was used extensively during the Shang dynasty, particularly by the royal court and elite members of society
• The Shang kings used oracle bones to seek guidance from ancestors on various matters, such as military campaigns, hunting expeditions, and agricultural activities
• The use of oracle bones for divination purposes reflects the Shang belief in the power of ancestors to influence the living world and the importance of maintaining a connection with the spirit world

Divination purposes

• Oracle bone inscriptions typically began with a preface, which included the date, the diviner's name, and the topic of the divination
• The question or statement was then inscribed on the bone, often in the form of a pair of opposing statements (e.g., "It will rain" and "It will not rain")
• The bone was heated until it cracked, and the cracks were interpreted as either auspicious or inauspicious, providing the answer to the question

Turtle plastrons and ox scapulae

• The most common materials used for oracle bones were turtle plastrons (the underside of the turtle shell) and ox scapulae (shoulder blades)
• Turtle plastrons were preferred for their large, flat surface, which provided ample space for inscriptions
• Ox scapulae were also used, although less frequently than turtle plastrons, and were often inscribed on both sides

Structure and form

• Oracle bone script is a pictographic and logographic writing system, where characters represent objects, ideas, or sounds
• The script is composed of simple strokes and shapes, which were carved into the bone or shell using a sharp tool
• Oracle bone script laid the foundation for the development of later Chinese writing systems, such as bronze inscriptions and seal script

Pictographic characters

• Many oracle bone characters are pictographic, meaning they resemble the objects they represent
• For example, the character for "sun" (日) is a circle with a dot in the center, resembling the sun, while the character for "moon" (月) is a crescent shape
• Pictographic characters often depicted animals (horse, bird), natural phenomena (mountain, river), and objects (knife, vessel) that were important in Shang society

Logographic system

• In addition to pictographic characters, oracle bone script also includes logographic characters, which represent ideas or concepts
• Logographic characters are composed of two or more pictographic elements that combine to convey a new meaning
• For example, the character for "good" (好) is a combination of the characters for "woman" (女) and "child" (子), representing the idea of something being good or favorable

Early writing system

• Oracle bone script is one of the earliest known writing systems in the world, along with Sumerian cuneiform and Egyptian hieroglyphs
• The development of oracle bone script marks a significant milestone in the history of Chinese civilization, as it allowed for the recording and transmission of information across time and space
• The script's structure and form influenced later Chinese writing systems, and many modern Chinese characters can be traced back to their oracle bone origins

Inscriptions and content

• Oracle bone inscriptions provide valuable insights into various aspects of Shang society, including political, military, religious, and social activities
• The content of the inscriptions reflects the concerns and priorities of the Shang elite, particularly the royal court and the king himself
• The inscriptions are often concise and formulaic, following a standard structure that includes a preface, the main text, and sometimes a postscript or verification

Royal divinations and rituals

• A significant portion of oracle bone inscriptions deals with royal divinations and rituals, reflecting the Shang kings' role as the main intermediary between the human and spirit worlds
• Divinations were performed on various topics, such as the king's health, the success of military campaigns, and the outcome of royal hunts
• Ritual inscriptions record the offerings and sacrifices made to ancestors and deities, including the types of animals sacrificed and the number of offerings made

Military campaigns and hunts

• Oracle bone inscriptions provide information on Shang military activities, including campaigns against neighboring states and tribes
• The inscriptions often record the names of enemy leaders, the number of troops involved, and the outcome of the battles
• Hunting expeditions were also a common subject of divinations, as they were seen as a way to demonstrate the king's power and prowess

Agricultural and meteorological records

• Oracle bone inscriptions include information on agricultural activities, such as planting and harvesting crops, as well as the management of livestock
• Meteorological records, such as the occurrence of rain, drought, or natural disasters, are also found in the inscriptions, reflecting the importance of weather patterns for agricultural success
• These records provide valuable data for reconstructing the climate and environment of the Shang period

Sacrifices and offerings

• Sacrifices and offerings to ancestors and deities were a central part of Shang religious practices, and oracle bone inscriptions provide detailed accounts of these rituals
• The inscriptions record the types of animals sacrificed (cattle, sheep, pigs), the number of offerings made, and the names of the ancestors or deities to whom the sacrifices were dedicated
• These records shed light on the complex religious beliefs and practices of the Shang people, including the importance of ancestor worship and the role of the king in maintaining the balance between the human and spirit worlds

Discovery and excavation

• The discovery and excavation of oracle bones have been crucial in advancing our understanding of Shang society and the development of early Chinese civilization
• The majority of oracle bones have been found in the ruins of Yin, the last capital of the Shang dynasty, located near present-day Anyang, Henan province
• The excavation and study of oracle bones have been ongoing since the late 19th century, with major discoveries continuing into the 21st century

Anyang, Henan province

• Anyang, located in northern Henan province, was the site of the last capital of the Shang dynasty, known as Yin
• The ruins of Yin were first discovered in 1899, when a local farmer unearthed a large number of oracle bones while digging a well
• Subsequent excavations at Anyang have revealed a wealth of archaeological materials, including bronze vessels, jade artifacts, and royal tombs, in addition to thousands of oracle bones

Late 19th century findings

• The first oracle bones were discovered by chance in 1899, when a Beijing antique dealer came across a number of inscribed bones and shells in a shipment of "dragon bones" (used in traditional Chinese medicine)
• The dealer recognized the importance of the inscriptions and brought them to the attention of scholars, who began to study and decipher the ancient script
• These initial findings sparked interest in the search for more oracle bones and laid the foundation for the systematic study of oracle bone script

20th century archaeological digs

• Throughout the 20th century, numerous archaeological excavations were conducted at Anyang and other Shang sites, yielding thousands of oracle bones and other artifacts
• The first scientific excavation at Anyang was carried out by the Academia Sinica in 1928, led by the renowned archaeologist Li Ji
• Subsequent excavations by Chinese and international teams have continued to uncover new oracle bones and expand our knowledge of Shang society and culture

Decipherment and study

• The decipherment and study of oracle bone script have been ongoing since the early 20th century, involving the efforts of numerous scholars and experts in various fields
• The process of deciphering oracle bone script has been challenging due to the ancient nature of the language, the fragmentary state of many inscriptions, and the lack of a comprehensive understanding of Shang society and culture
• Despite these challenges, significant progress has been made in interpreting oracle bone inscriptions, providing valuable insights into early Chinese history and the development of the Chinese writing system

Pioneering scholars

• Several pioneering scholars have made significant contributions to the decipherment and study of oracle bone script
• Wang Yirong (1845-1900), a Chinese scholar and antiquarian, was one of the first to recognize the importance of oracle bone inscriptions and began to collect and study them
• Luo Zhenyu (1866-1940), another prominent Chinese scholar, played a key role in the early decipherment of oracle bone script and the compilation of the first oracle bone collections and catalogs

Challenges in interpretation

• The interpretation of oracle bone inscriptions presents several challenges, including the fragmented nature of many bones and shells, the use of archaic and variant characters, and the lack of punctuation or sentence structure
• The language of oracle bone inscriptions is also different from modern Chinese, with many characters having different meanings or pronunciations, making it difficult to understand the content without specialized knowledge
• Additionally, the limited context provided by the inscriptions and the lack of a comprehensive understanding of Shang society and culture can make it challenging to interpret the full meaning and significance of the texts

Contributions to understanding Shang history

• Despite the challenges, the decipherment and study of oracle bone script have made significant contributions to our understanding of Shang history and culture
• Oracle bone inscriptions provide valuable information on various aspects of Shang society, including political structure, military activities, religious practices, and daily life
• The study of oracle bone script has also shed light on the development of the Chinese writing system, as well as the origins and evolution of the Chinese language
• By piecing together the information contained in oracle bone inscriptions, scholars have been able to construct a more comprehensive and nuanced picture of early Chinese civilization and its place in world history

Oracle bone script vs. modern Chinese

• Oracle bone script is the earliest known form of Chinese writing, and as such, it differs significantly from modern Chinese in terms of character structure, pronunciation, and meaning
• Despite these differences, oracle bone script laid the foundation for the development of later Chinese writing systems, and many modern Chinese characters can trace their origins back to oracle bone forms
• The study of oracle bone script and its relationship to modern Chinese provides valuable insights into the evolution of the Chinese language and writing system over time

Evolution of characters

• Many oracle bone characters have evolved and changed over time, undergoing various transformations in structure and form
• Some characters have retained their basic structure and meaning, while others have changed significantly or have been replaced by new characters altogether
• The evolution of Chinese characters can be traced through the various stages of Chinese writing, from oracle bone script to bronze inscriptions, seal script, clerical script, and eventually to the standard script used today

Simplified vs. traditional characters

• Modern Chinese is written using either simplified or traditional characters, which differ in their structure and complexity
• Simplified characters were introduced in the 1950s as part of a language reform aimed at increasing literacy and ease of writing, while traditional characters maintain the more complex forms used in earlier stages of Chinese writing
• Oracle bone characters are most closely related to traditional characters, as they represent the earliest forms of Chinese writing and have undergone fewer changes over time

Influence on modern writing system

• Despite the differences between oracle bone script and modern Chinese, the influence of oracle bone characters can still be seen in many modern characters
• Some modern characters are direct descendants of oracle bone forms, having retained their basic structure and meaning over time
• Other characters have incorporated elements or radicals from oracle bone script, even if the overall structure has changed significantly
• The study of oracle bone script and its relationship to modern Chinese helps to illuminate the complex and fascinating history of the Chinese language and writing system, and provides a deeper understanding of the cultural and linguistic heritage of China

Significance in Chinese archaeology

• Oracle bone script holds immense significance in the field of Chinese archaeology, as it represents the earliest known form of Chinese writing and provides invaluable insights into the society and culture of the Shang dynasty
• The discovery and study of oracle bones have revolutionized our understanding of early Chinese civilization and have shed light on various aspects of Shang life, from political structure and military activities to religious practices and daily life
• The importance of oracle bone script extends beyond the Shang dynasty, as it laid the foundation for the development of later Chinese writing systems and played a crucial role in the evolution of the Chinese language

Earliest known Chinese writing

• As the earliest known form of Chinese writing, oracle bone script represents a crucial milestone in the development of Chinese civilization
• The emergence of writing in China marks a significant turning point in human history, as it allowed for the recording and transmission of information across time and space
• The study of oracle bone script provides valuable insights into the origins and evolution of the Chinese writing system, and helps to situate China within the broader context of world civilizations

Insights into Shang society and culture

• Oracle bone inscriptions offer a unique window into the society and culture of the Shang dynasty, providing detailed information on various aspects of Shang life
• The inscriptions shed light on the political structure of the Shang state, including the role of the king and the relationships between different lineages and clans
• They also provide information on Shang military activities, religious practices, and daily life, including agriculture, hunting, and craft production
• By studying oracle bone inscriptions, archaeologists and historians have been able to construct a more comprehensive and nuanced picture of Shang society and culture, and to better understand the complexities of early Chinese civilization

Importance for studying early Chinese civilization

• The study of oracle bone script is essential for understanding the development of early Chinese civilization and its place in world history
• Oracle bone inscriptions provide a wealth of information on the Shang dynasty, which was one of the earliest and most influential states in Chinese history
• The insights gained from the study of oracle bone script have helped to illuminate the origins and evolution of Chinese culture, including the development of language, writing, religion, and political systems
• By situating the Shang dynasty within the broader context of world civilizations, the study of oracle bone script has also contributed to our understanding of the complex interactions and exchanges between different cultures and regions in the ancient world