How did ancient Chinese kings predict the future with turtle shells? Why did a Shang dynasty king use turtle shells and to resolve his terrible toothache?

Learn more about ancient Chinese oracle bones from the Shang dynasty

Join us on an incredible journey back in time to ancient China during the Shang dynasty, where kings used turtle shells and animal bones to predict the future and find answers to their questions. Discover how King Wu Ding used divination to try to resolve his annoying toothache and learn about China’s earliest writing system. 🇨🇳

Watch to uncover the secrets of the oldest writings on ancient Chinese oracle bones!

Main artworks:

1. Two oracle bones, Shang Dynasty, 13th–12th centuries BCE, China, Musée Guimet, Paris, France

National Learning Standards

World History

NSS-WH.5-12.2 ERA 2: EARLY CIVILIZATIONS AND THE EMERGENCE OF PASTORAL PEOPLES, 4000-1000 BCE