Understanding Oracle Bones in the Shang Dynasty
History
Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
8 questions
~16 mins
1 views0 downloads
About This Worksheet
This worksheet explores the significance of oracle bones in Shang Dynasty China, focusing on their use for communication with ancestors and divination practices.
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Understanding Oracle Bones in the Shang Dynasty
Subject: HistoryGrade: Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
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Untitled Worksheet
Grade Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
A
Introduction to Oracle Bones
Source A: Excerpt from a historical analysis
'Oracle bones are pieces of turtle shell or animal bone used during the Shang Dynasty for divination. Priests would inscribe questions onto the bones, then apply heat until they cracked. The patterns of the cracks were interpreted as answers from ancestors or gods.' Provenance: Modern historical summary based on archaeological findings.
1.
Explain the purpose of oracle bones in Shang China. (3 marks)
[3 marks]2.
Compare the materials used for oracle bones and explain why these materials were chosen. (4 marks)
[4 marks]3.
Outline how the process of divination using oracle bones was carried out. (4 marks)
[4 marks]4.
Describe the types of questions inscribed on oracle bones. (3 marks)
[3 marks]5.
Analyze why oracle bones are important for understanding Shang society. (5 marks)
[5 marks]6.
Compare oracle bones to other forms of ancient record-keeping. (4 marks)
[4 marks]7.
Explain what archaeologists have learned from oracle bones. (3 marks)
[3 marks]8.
Write a brief explanation of how oracle bones help us understand ancient Chinese writing. (3 marks)
[3 marks]Quick Actions
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Details
- Created
- 1/1/2026
- Updated
- 1/1/2026
- Type
- worksheet
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