oracle bones

American  

plural noun

1. a group of inscribed animal bones and shells discovered in China and used originally in divination by the ancient Chinese, especially during the Shang dynasty.

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Etymology

Origin of oracle bones

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

"If implemented at scale, it could represent a milestone in the history of knowledge storage, akin to oracle bones, medieval parchment or the modern hard drive," they said.

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

They also found something less tangible: the beginnings of the Chinese writing system, in the form of the inscriptions on the animal scapula and tortoise shells known as oracle bones.

From Washington Post • Apr. 4, 2023

Some records, such as those relating to China’s second and third dynasties, were confirmed in surprising detail when archaeologists turned up inscriptions on oracle bones and ancient bronzes.

From New York Times • Aug. 4, 2016

Shang kings consulted the gods through the use of oracle bones, animal bones and tortoise shells on which priests had scratched questions for the gods.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

The oldest preserved Chinese writing of the late Shang Dynasty consists of religious divination about dynastic affairs, incised into so-called oracle bones.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond