WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The Shang people used oracle bones to communicate with ancestors and deities, who were believed to have the power to bestow fortune, disasters and guidance on the living world. At the royal court, the oracle bones divination was carried out by trusted ‘diviners’ or by the king and other members of the royal family.

Detailed explanation-2: -They provide records of divinations and prayers from people in the late Shang Dynasty (c. 16th century-11th century BC). Over time, oracle-bone inscriptions developed into modern-day Chinese characters, helping to show the continuous evolution of Chinese civilization.

Detailed explanation-3: -Oracle bone script (Chinese: ; pinyin: jiǎgǔwén) is an ancient form of Chinese characters that were engraved on oracle bones-animal bones or turtle plastrons used in pyromantic divination. Oracle bone script was used in the late 2nd millennium BC, and is the earliest known form of Chinese writing.

Detailed explanation-4: -These questions were carved onto the bone or shell in oracle bone script using a sharp tool. Intense heat was then applied with a metal rod until the bone or shell cracked due to thermal expansion. The diviner would then interpret the pattern of cracks and write the prognostication upon the piece as well.

Detailed explanation-5: -Oracle-bone inscriptions were excavated from Yin Ruins in Anyang City, Henan Province, China. They were records of making divination and praying to gods by late Shang people from 1400 B.C.-1100 B.C.. The materials used for divination were mainly cattle scapulas and tortoise shells, as well as other animal bones.