Wang Yirong

Wang Yirong was a Chinese scholar and diplomat in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best known for discovering the first known example of Oracle Bone scripts—ancient Chinese characters engraved on bones and shells used for divination around 1200 BCE. His work in Chinese archaeology and language helped unlock early Chinese history and writing. Wang also served as a diplomat, helping modernize China’s cultural and political institutions. His contributions are vital to understanding China's ancient civilization and the origins of Chinese writing.