Exploring Oracle Bones of the Shang Dynasty
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This worksheet encourages students to analyze a primary source about oracle bones from the Shang Dynasty to understand their significance and reliability.
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Exploring Oracle Bones of the Shang Dynasty
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Source Analysis: Oracle Bones of the Shang Dynasty
Source A: Record of Oracle Bone Inscriptions
"The inscriptions on the oracle bones contain questions posed by the Shang kings to their ancestors, seeking guidance on matters such as weather, warfare, and harvests. These bones, mainly turtle shells and ox scapulae, were heated until they cracked, and the diviners interpreted the cracks to predict future events. The inscriptions record the questions and sometimes the outcomes, revealing the importance of ancestor worship and divination in Shang society. The script is early Chinese writing, with characters that are often difficult to interpret but show a complex system used for communication with the spiritual realm. Provenance: Archaeologists, 20th century, report based on excavations at Anyang, the Shang capital."
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Details
- Created
- 1/1/2026
- Updated
- 1/1/2026
- Type
- worksheet