Summary Package 2

The rediscovery of the Shang began with Malaria. That at least, is the legend. Describe what are oracle bones, how they were discovered, how they were used and their significance. (25m)

USE ONLY MATERIALS FROM PARAGRAPHS 1 to 6.

Your summary, which must be in continuous writing (not note form), must not be longer than 160 words, including the 10 words given below.

Begin your summary as follows:

The rediscovery of the Shang began with the discovery of turtle shells and large cattle bones. They are inscribed with ancient Chinese characters. Inscriptions are about events of national significance, natural disasters, and insignificant happenings. One way being discovered is by legend. Another is Wang Yirong’s family bought the turtle shells to make medicine. Wang Yirong, an archaeologist, was the first to build up a collection of oracle bones. Oracle bones were found in Xiaotun. Shang fortune tellers use it to foretold predictions about the future and check whether the event would occur. The bones were cleaned and thinned and hot object is applied until the surface cracked. The cracked shell or bones were presented to the king. The King’s interpretation of the cracks was engraved onto the shell together with the original prediction. Oracle bones are first written texts. It recorded account of Shang which provides reference to historical personalities to prove their existence. It also dispelled some misconceptions of Shang.