Summary package 2

The rediscovery of the Shang began with the discovery of turtle shells or big cattle bones. It is inscribed with ancient Chinese characters. The bones speak of events about national significant, natural disasters, as well as insignificant happenings. It was discovered by legend. Wang Yirong’s family sent out to a pharmacist for turtle plastrons to make medicine. 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. They used the oracle bones to check whether the event would occur. The bones were cleaned and thinned. The diviners applied a hot object until the surface cracked. The cracked bones were presented to the king. King’s interpretation of the cracks was engraved onto the shell together with the original prediction. The oracle bones refer to persons who appear in traditional historical texts. It also dispelled some misconceptions of Shang.

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