The rediscovery of the Shang began with the discovery of oracle bones. They are turtle shells or large cattle bones. It is often inscribed with ancient Chinese characters. Inscriptions are about events of national significance like natural disasters or sometimes some insignificant happenings. Legend has it that Wang Yirong’s family bought the turtle shells to make medicine for his sick family member. Wang Yirong, an archaeologist, was the first to build up a collection of oracle bones. Oracle bones were found in Xiaotun. Shang fortune tellers foretold predictions about the future and they used the oracle bones to check whether the event would occur. The bones were cleaned and thinned. The surface of the bone cracked when a hot object is applied. The cracked shell or bones were presented to the king. King’s interpretation of the cracks was engraved onto the shell together with the original prediction. The oracle bone was the first written texts. It is also a recorded account of the Shang. (154 words)
