This project comes from a collaboration between CMU’s ETC, LCAL, and CFA’s Frank Ratcheye Studio (focuses on cross-disciplanary research) partnering with the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and their collection of Oracle Bones. 

Oracle Bones are turtle plastrons and ox scapulae bones used in divination rituals during the Shang dynasty to answer yes/no questions from spirits by drilling holes into the bone, heating them over fires, and reading the cracks to determine an answer and then inscribing the ritual and results onto the bone as a record of the prediction. 

These artifacts originate from the Shang dynasty and are the earliest records of written language in East Asia and over the past few semesters this collaboration has resulted in being able to 3D scan this collection of oracle bones, a joint course between ETC and LCAL about oracle bones, and our current project. 

Partnering with the CMNH Edward O’Neil Research Center (which houses the bones) and receiving support from prior contributors we aim to continue furthering the goal of utilizing the privilege of access to these incredibly limited record of crucial history in order to attract curiosity and spread awareness about Oracle Bones