A research project on oracle bone inscriptions at the Shandong Museum has been approved by the 2014 National Social Sciences Fund, providing new momentum into research of oracle bones in China. Undertaken by the Research Center for Oracle Bone Studies and History of Shang Dynasty at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Shandong Museum, scholars have welcomed the project as a boost to research of the bones.

In the ruins of Yin, the capital of the Shang (Yin) Dynasty (1350-1046 BC) in Anyang, Henan Province, archeologists have continually unearthed a wealth of ancient writing materials that date back as far as 3,000 years ago. The ancient characters carved on animal bones and tortoise shells are known as “oracle bone inscriptions.”

“Research has shown that the texts were probably used for divination purposes by the royal family and aristocrats in the late Shang Dynasty. It is the earliest written heritage in China,” said Song Zhenhao, chief expert of the project and CASS Member.

The first discovery of oracle bones was made in 1899. Over more than a century, research of the bones has been carried forward by successive generations. As one of China’s most precious forms of intangible cultural heritage, the inscriptions have shown such growing significance that a discipline dubbed “oracle bone studies” has emerged.

“Oracle bone studies provide unique, authentic and valuable firsthand historical information for us to examine Shang Dynasty society, the splendid history of Chinese civilization and its early state and social formations,” said Song.

It plays a positive role in deepening recognition of ancient Chinese history, cultural heritage protection, humanity evolution and scientific development, he added.

The value of oracle bone inscriptions is also displayed in philological research. “Referring to the inscriptions, we can basically reveal how Chinese phonograms were created and structured,” said Chen Nianfu, a professor at Zhejiang Normal University.

Owing to unremitting academic efforts by generations of scholars for over a century, oracle bone studies has become a spectacular world-class discipline and bears huge significance to historical studies, philology, archeology and other academic disciplines.

In recent decades, relevant research projects at varying levels were approved one after another. The latest project conducted by CASS and the Shandong Museum has generated encouraging results.

Guo Kesi, curator of the Shandong Museum, said that the research group has finished rubbings and during the process, dozens of sets of the bones were joined. This breakthrough is expected to help scholars shed light on the characters, Guo said.

Despite remarkable achievements, oracle bone studies still require development. Large oracle bone collections from all over China are yet to be gathered, researched and recorded, and there are still some important original materials to be published.

“Now research of oracle bones is fragmented, featuring different standards in classifying fonts and stereotyped explanation of the inscriptions,” Song said.

Scholars have urged the immediate establishment of a national oracle bone database to bolster studies.

The Chinese version appeared in Chinese Social Sciences Today, No. 669, November 19, 2014.

The Chinese link: http://sscp.cssn.cn/zdtj/201411/t20141119_1405565.html

　　Translated by Chen Mirong

　　Revised by Tom Fearon