Oracle Bones

Oracle bones are ancient Chinese artifacts used in divination during the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE). These bones, typically from cattle or turtles, were inscribed with questions to ancestral spirits or deities about future events. Heat was applied to the bones, causing them to crack; diviners interpreted the patterns of the cracks to provide answers. Oracle bones are significant for understanding early Chinese writing, culture, and history, as they contain some of the oldest known Chinese characters and insights into societal beliefs and practices of that era.