Oracle bones: How the Shang Dynasty communicated with heaven

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Oracle bones: How the Shang Dynasty communicated with heaven

For the people of the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC), divination was an integral part of daily life. They typically used tortoise shells and animal scapulae to determine good or ill fortune. The diviner would first trim and smooth the surface of the shell or bone, then carve the matter to be divined on the front side. Next, they would drill small pits into the back without piercing through and slowly apply heat using a low flame. The resulting surface cracks – their angles and directions – were interpreted as signs from heaven, revealing whether an outcome would be auspicious or inauspicious. The divination inscriptions were then carved onto the oracle bones as a record.

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