A Legacy of Elegance: Oracle Bones Collection from the Chinese University of Hong Kong

Many Shang dynasty inscribed oracle bones were found at Yinxu, Henan province. Their purpose and function shed significant light on the origin of Chinese culture, disclosing major concerns of the time. Shang oracle-bone script is the earliest known form of systematic Chinese writing, which is a crucial source for understanding the development of Chinese characters as well as the history of the Shang dynasty.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is the largest repository of oracle bones in Hong Kong, including forty-four oracle bones donated by Deng Erya’s family to United College and twenty-seven by Lee Yim to the Art Museum. The specialist catalog is intended for both the expert and the uninitiated yet educated reader. The essays reveal the close relationship between and achievement of oracle-bones studies and art of the University.