Yinxu
Yinxu (殷墟, "Ruins of Yin") is an archaeological site near present-day Anyang, Henan, identified with the last capital of the Shang dynasty. Excavations at the site have produced royal tombs, palace and temple remains, bronze objects, and oracle-bone inscriptions. UNESCO describes those inscriptions as the earliest known mature writing in China and as evidence for the history of the late Shang.[1]
Oracle-bone inscriptions
Oracle bones were used in court divination. The inscriptions preserve questions about matters including ritual, warfare, weather, harvests, and royal affairs, making them important evidence for the religious and political life of the Shang court.[2] They provide the archaeological context for the earliest surviving references to Shangdi.
Archaeological significance
The site is significant both for the material record of late Shang society and for the history of writing. Its royal tomb area, architectural remains, and inscriptions allow historians to connect excavated objects with the concerns of an early court and its ritual institutions.[1]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Yin Xu". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- ↑ "Oracle bone with inscription". Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, Cornell University. Retrieved 2026-10-01.