The Oracle Bones of Shang China

Record summary

Shang oracle bones are inscribed turtle plastrons and animal scapulae used in pyromantic divination concerning weather, harvests, warfare, childbirth, illness, and royal affairs. They matter for comparing material divination, state ritual, archival record-keeping, and the afterlife of divinatory questions in written form. The inscriptions are archaeological artefacts, not reports of paranormal incidents, and their interpretation depends on damaged surfaces, formulaic language, and reconstruction of Shang institutions. Excavation history, collection provenance, and paleographic readings should be checked carefully.