3D Gallery of the IHP

Excavated from Trash Pit 127, Hsiao-tun, at the Yin-xu archaeology site, this oracle bone dates to the reign of King Wu Ding of the Shang dynasty (r. ca. 1250–1192 BCE). Compared to those inscribed on tortoise plastrons, it is a rare divination inscription on a carapace, namely the upper half of a tortoise shell. Prior to divination, holes were drilled into the reverse side of the plastron, carapace, or other animal bone. During the ritual, the holes were heated, causing cracks in the shape of the character 卜 (bu, meaning divination) to form on the surface of the front side. The resulting patterns were then interpreted to answer, namely auspicious or inauspicious, the “charge” (topic of divination), with said information finally being inscribed onto the oracle bone. The contents of this divination inscription include matters related to the weather and the King of Shang’s decision regarding his destination. The reverse side bears inscriptions in vermillion.