Yinxu

Yinxu, or Yin Xu, (OC *ʔər, modern IPA: [ínɕý]; Chinese: 殷墟; literally: "Ruins of Yin") is the site of one of the ancient and major historical capitals of China. It is the source of the archeological discovery of oracle bones and oracle bone script, which resulted in the recognition of the earliest known Chinese writing. The archeological remnants (or ruins) known as Yinxu represent the ancient city of Yin, the last capital of China's Shang dynasty which existed through eight generations for 255 years, and through the reign of 12 kings. Yinxu was discovered, or rediscovered, in 1899; it is one of China's oldest and largest archeological sites, and is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Yinxu is located in northernmost Henan province near the modern city of Anyang, and near the Hebei and Shanxi province borders. Public access to the site is permitted.

History

At the beginning of the 14th century BCE, King Pangeng of the Shang dynasty moved his capital from Yān (present day Qufu, in present-day Shandong Province), to the site of an old village which had existed since 5,000 BCE, upon the banks of the Huan River. The new city was named "Yin" (殷), and from that point on the dynasty that founded it would also be known as the Yin dynasty. The name "Yin" is an ancient term referring to "vibrant music-making".