The discovery of oracle bone inscriptions not only confirms the existence of the Shang Dynasty, but also pushes the upper limit of written or physical history in China 1,000 years earlier. Photo: Courtesy of Henan TV

The latest archaeological findings in China show that the people in the Shang Dynasty (c.1600BC-1046BC) in ancient China had mastered the eclipses cycle of sun and moon. The discovery of oracle bone inscriptions not only confirms the existence of the Shang Dynasty, but also pushes the upper limit of written or physical history in China 1,000 years earlier.

According to archaeological finds and historical documentation, the 3,300-year-old Yinxu, or Yin Ruins, were the primary location of the late Shang (Yin) Dynasty, the first such confirmed ruins in Chinese history.

Oracle bone inscriptions unearthed at the Yin Ruins have helped preserve 3,000-year-old Chinese written language proving historical Chinese records existed 1,000 years earlier than previously believed.

The latest archaeological discovery of a large number of bronze casting, bone making and pottery remains at the Yin ruins once again proves that the handicraft industry of the Shang Dynasty was diverse and highly skilled in the world at that time.