Article ID: CBB870667256

Cracking bones and numbers: solving the enigma of numerical sequences on ancient Chinese artifacts (2020)

unapi

Numerous recent discoveries in China of ancient tombs have greatly increased our knowledge of ritual and religious practices. These discoveries include excavated oracle bones, bronze, jade, stone and pottery objects, and bamboo manuscripts dating from the twelfth to fourth century BCE. Inscribed upon these artifacts are a large number of records of numerical sequences, for which no explanation has been found of how they were produced. Structural links to the Book of Changes, a divination manual that entered the Confucian canon, are evident; yet, the algorithm described therein dates to the slightly later second to first century BCE. By combining archeological and statistical evidence, we propose a new methodology that enables us to reconstruct and test cleromantic techniques which can explain how these numerical sequences were generated. Dice and divination stalk use, either in combination or separately, appear in fact to have been underlying the rather stable numerical patterns in ancient China all the way back to the late Shang dynasty (1300–1046 BCE). Bringing to light such a long-standing technique, which awaits further confirmation from the ever-growing database of newly discovered numerical and textual records, can change drastically our understanding of early Chinese history and of the historical development of sophisticated arithmetical practices and the rationalization of chance.

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Authors & Contributors
Brown, David
Wang, Xing
Yong, Lam Lay
Rommevaux-Tani, Sabine
Xu, Zelin
Wheeler, Brannon M.
Concepts
Science and religion
Divination; prognostication
Mathematics
Astronomy
Astrology
Arithmetic
Time Periods
Ancient
Medieval
19th century
4th century, B.C.
Song-Yuan dynasties (China, 960-1368)
Qin dynasty (China, 221-207 B.C.)
Places
China
Middle and Near East
Mesopotamia
Greece
Rome (Italy)
Mediterranean region
Institutions
Université de Paris
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