David Pankeniers publishings

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David Pankenier | Lehigh University - Academia.edu

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"The Shang oracle bone divinations generally follow a set pattern. A complete
divination formula comprises four parts: the day-date in the 60-day cycle, the
name of the diviner, a statement of the action or item divined about, a prediction
about the auspices of the proposed action or matter at issue. This is sometimes then
followed by the year of the (unidentified) king. A bureaucratic preoccupation with
procedure, timing, and record keeping is a notable aspect of the practice. When
a desired outcome was confirmed, this fact would sometimes be appended later.
Only a few such complete divinations are preserved. Most surviving inscriptions
consist of small broken fragments inscribed with just a few characters. However,
much important information can be gleaned from them, especially when they are
reassembled. They provide invaluable information for research on the Yin-Shang
period (1250–1046 BCE) when the last capital, Yinxu (“Ruins of Yin”) near
Anyang in Henan Province, served as the center of dynastic ritual activity." *)


*) https://www.academia.edu/73902311/Shang_Oracle_Bones?email_work_card=view-paper