Question

Shang religious leaders often acted as what, and early Chinese writing dates to this period on what material?

A) Priests; bronze
B) Oracles; bones
C) Diviners; stones
D) Soothsayers; wood

Answer 1

B) Oracles; bones.

Shang Dynasty religious leaders acted as diviners, using oracle bones for divination. Early Chinese writing was found inscribed on these bones, not on bronze, stones, or wood.

Step-by-step explanation:

The religious leaders in the Shang Dynasty were known for their role as diviners. They practiced an ancient method of foretelling the future by using what were known as oracle bones. Early Chinese writing dates back to this period, and these writings were found inscribed on these oracle bones.

The answers to the two-part question are therefore: B) Oracles; bones. The religious leaders acted as oracles, and the material on which early Chinese writing was found from this period is bones, specifically turtle shells and the shoulder blades of large animals.

The Shang Dynasty was a Bronze Age civilization, and although they produced beautiful bronze vessels, the writing that gives us the most information from that period is on the bones used for divination.