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Scapula Oracle Bone

[Scapula oracle bone]

This cow scapula (shoulder blade) has 40 circular holes, which were probably drilled as some kind of tally system. "Oracle" bones were among the implements a shaman might use. They could be scorched, causing the surface to craze in ways that could be read for divination. From the Iron Period site of Zhangdi Yingzi, Aihui District, Heihe.

Source: Photo CD 9091 3192 4087, Image # 084
Courtesy of the Heilongjiang Provincial Institute for Archaeology and Cultural Relics. Photo by Dr J. W. Ives, Provincial Museum of Alberta.

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Last Review/Update -- October 12 2006