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Engraved animal bone (Part1 2422, R034576)

Tags: oracle bone | Shang dynasty | Wu Ding

Obtained in the Institute of History and Philology's 3rd Xiaotun excavation in 1929, it is an oracle bone belonging to late Shang period 1, the age of Wu Ding. Carved upon the remaining piece of this ox bone are the images of several animals, just as if they had been newly drawn. In the picture there are a tiger and an elephant; in the belly of the elephant there is also being carried a baby elephant. Below the elephant's belly, there is also a small deer, setting off the great size of the elephant. This particular bone may be said to be a fine work of the carving of the people of Yin. 

 

Rubbing dimensions: length 19.25 cm, width 10 cm Object dimensions: length 19.5 cm, width 8.6 cm

 

Excavation date: 1929, 3rd Xiaotun excavation
Place of excavation: Xiaotun, Anyang County, Henan Province


Institute of History and Philology, Academia Sinica
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