Anyang to train personnel in oracle bone inscriptions

Anyang of Henan province plans to train 100 teachers each year for research into oracle bone inscriptions, an ancient form of Chinese characters engraved on turtle shells and ox scapulae, the city's vice-mayor said on Wednesday.

Dating back 3,300 years to the late period of the Shang Dynasty (c. 16th-11th century BC), most inscribed bones were excavated from areas surrounding the Yinxu Ruins in present-day Anyang.

The city also plans to host events to recognize the inscriptions, and focus on cultivating talent in the field, according to Chang Huiqin, vice-mayor of Anyang.

It will also work to raise awareness of the inscriptions in classrooms, she said at a news conference hosted by the Ministry of Education, adding the efforts will make the city an important place for international oracle bone inscriptions research.