What were oracle bones, and how were they used?

Oracle bones were pieces of turtle shell or ox shoulder blades that were inscribed with ancient Chinese pictographs or characters. These inscriptions were used by ancient Chinese kings and rulers to seek guidance and advice from ancestors or spirits. The process of using oracle bones involved heating the item until it cracked, and then interpreting the patterns of the cracks to determine the answer to the question posed. The inscriptions on the oracle bones also often included information about events such as battles, weather patterns, or sacrificial rituals. Oracle bones were an important tool for divination and decision-making in ancient China, and they are considered to be some of the earliest examples of Chinese writing.

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Oracle bones were pieces of turtle shell or ox shoulder blades inscribed with Chinese characters. They were used for divination by heating them until they cracked, and interpreting the patterns to seek guidance from ancestors or spirits. They were important tools for decision-making in ancient China.

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Oracle bones were inscribed turtle shells used for divination in ancient China. They were heated until they cracked, and the patterns were interpreted for guidance.