<P> Oracle bones ( Chinese : 甲骨 ; pinyin : jiǎgǔ ) are pieces of ox scapula or turtle plastron , which were used for pyromancy -- a form of divination -- in ancient China , mainly during the late Shang dynasty . Scapulimancy is the correct term if ox scapulae were used for the divination ; plastromancy if turtle plastrons were used . </P>
<P> Oracle bones ( Chinese : 甲骨 ; pinyin : jiǎgǔ ) are pieces of ox scapula or turtle plastron , which were used for pyromancy -- a form of divination -- in ancient China , mainly during the late Shang dynasty . Scapulimancy is the correct term if ox scapulae were used for the divination ; plastromancy if turtle plastrons were used . </P>
what was the purpose of oracle bones in ancient china
what was the purpose of oracle bones in ancient china
used for pyromancy -- a form of divination
used for pyromancy -- a form of divination