Final answer:
The earliest surviving Chinese writing inscriptions were primarily on bronze and oracle bones, with evidence from as early as 1200 BC during the Shang dynasty. Materials like silk and bamboo were also used, but their artifacts have not been preserved. A key finding on a stone axe hints at the use of written language around 5,000 years ago.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some of the earliest known Chinese writing inscriptions are represented on bronze and oracle bones from the reign of Shang King Wu Ding around 1200 BC. While Shang scribes may have also written on silk and other materials such as bamboo, these have not survived to the current day. Instead, the enduring examples of early Chinese writing come from inscriptions on bronze vessels and oracle bones, which provided a foundation for understanding the history, culture, and ideology of early Chinese societies through archaeological and art historical analysis.
Additionally, a remarkable discovery was made in 2013 when archaeologists found Chinese characters on a stone axe dated to 5,000 years ago, suggesting the use of writing far earlier than the oracle bones indicate. However, before the invention of paper, writing was commonly done on bamboo strips, which were quite cumbersome. The Song Dynasty saw the perfection of calligraphy and the widespread use of materials such as silk, paper, and bamboo for writing and artistic expression.