Romancing the bone

The excavations carried out at Yinxu and the finding of the oracle bones significantly changed China's historical records. The inscriptions on these bones are the precursor of modern Chinese calligraphy, according to Tang Jigen, a researcher with the Institute of Archeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

But why would the ancient people write on bones, which, experts said, was not an easy task?

On close inspection, pinholes and burn marks are visible on the unwritten side.