How the ancient Chinese used 'oracle bones' to tell the future

Oracle bones are one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in ancient China.

They are inscribed animal bones, such as ox scapulae, or turtle shells that were used in divination practices during the Shang dynasty, which lasted from 1600 BCE to 1046 BCE.

The oracle bones are not only an important aspect of ancient Chinese culture, but they also provide insight into the early development of Chinese writing and language.

The Shang people believed that they could communicate with their ancestors through the bones and that their ancestors could intervene in human affairs.

They would ask questions about the future, such as whether a crop would be successful or whether a battle would be won.

To use the oracle bones, the Shang diviner would inscribe a question onto the bone using a sharp tool.

The inscriptions were typically written in the Shang script, which is the earliest known form of Chinese writing.

The script was made up of small pictographs, which represent words or concepts.

The diviners would then prepare the bone by drilling a small hole into it. The bone would then be heated until it cracked and they would interpret the pattern of cracks as an answer to their question.

The diviner would then speak aloud the interpretation. In some cases, the outcome was later added onto the bone. 

Some of the common questions that were asked on the oracle bones included whether a particular undertaking, such as a military campaign or a farming season, would be successful, or whether an illness would be cured.

The questions could also be related to more personal matters, such as whether a marriage proposal would be accepted or whether a pregnancy would result in a healthy child.

The discovery of oracle bones occurred in the early 20th century, but their significance was not fully understood until later.

In 1899, a scholar named Wang Yirong reportedly came across a collection of inscribed bones that were being sold as 'dragon bones'. 

He noticed that some of the inscriptions resembled ancient Chinese writing, and he recognized that they were important historical artifacts.

However, it was not until 1928 that the true significance of the oracle bones was discovered.

In that year, archaeologists unearthed a cache of oracle bones in the village of Xiaotun, near the city of Anyang in central China, at the site of the last capital of the Shang dynasty. The bones were found in a pit, along with pottery and other artifacts.

Wang Guowei was one of the scholars who deciphered the inscriptions and linked them to the Shang dynasty.

The discovery was one of the most significant archaeological finds in Chinese history. Since then, archaeologists have uncovered more than 100,000 oracle bones at Anyang.

The discovery of the oracle bones had a significant impact on our understanding of ancient China.

They provided valuable historical information as the inscriptions recorded the names of Shang kings and their family members, as well as details about their daily lives.

They also provided a rare glimpse into the political and spiritual concerns of the Shang rulers, as well as the religious and social practices.

One of the most notable figures identified in the oracle bone inscriptions is Lady Fu Hao, a powerful Shang military leader and high priestess who led multiple successful campaigns and conducted rituals recorded on oracle bones.

The inscriptions on oracle bones represent the earliest known form of Chinese writing, providing direct evidence of a script that would later evolve into modern Chinese characters.

Today, the oracle bones are considered one of the most important archaeological discoveries in Chinese history.