The currently recognized discoverer of oracle bone inscriptions is Wang Yirong.
The book "120 Years of Development of Oracle Bone Science" written by Wang Yuxin and others believes that Wang Yirong was the first to identify and purchase oracle bone inscriptions in 1899, which laid the foundation for the formation and development of the international cultural oracle bone science. He is revered as the "Father of Oracle" by scholars at home and abroad.
The place where oracle bone inscriptions were first discovered was Xiaotun Village in Anyang, Henan Province. It is located south of the Huan River and is now the world-famous Yin Ruins. There are a large number of tortoise shells and animal bones engraved with the characters of the Yin Dynasty buried underground. The characters engraved on these tortoise shells are called "oracle bone inscriptions", also known as "deeds". Because most of them are records of divination, they are generally called oracle bone divination.
Characteristics
Judging from the characters on the oracle bones, they already possess the three elements of Chinese calligraphy: brush use, word knotting, and composition. The lines he used were strict and thin, with both straight and thick strokes, and his strokes were folded in many directions, which had an impact on the pen and knife used for seal cutting in later generations. Judging from the structural font, the characters not only change, but are of different sizes, they are relatively balanced and symmetrical, and also show a stable pattern.
Thus, from the perspective of composition, although it is affected by the size and shape of the bone fragments, it still shows the carving skills and the artistic characteristics of writing. "Oracle bone calligraphy" is now popular among some calligraphers and calligraphy enthusiasts, which proves its charm.