Events to mark discovery of oracle-bone inscriptions

China will hold a series of events to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the discovery of oracle-bone inscriptions, the Ministry of Education announced recently.

Tian Lixin, head of the department of language application and information management under the ministry, says the ministry will host the events jointly with the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the National Cultural Heritage Administration, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Henan provincial government.

The events will include a workshop in Beijing, a themed exhibition at the National Museum of China as well as an international symposium in Anyang, Henan province, in September and October, Tian says.

Tian says the authorities will also take various steps, such as setting up an expert committee and initiating research programs to support the study and application of oracle-bone inscriptions and other ancient Chinese writings.

"These efforts are to dig into the history, ideas and culture of the language and to showcase the essence of Chinese civilization," the official says.

Jiaguwen, or oracle-bone inscriptions, are ancient Chinese writings carved on tortoise shells and animal bones. They are a primitive form of Chinese characters and the oldest fully developed characters in China.

Oracle-bone inscriptions are one of the four ancient characters in the world and the only text in ancient Chinese characters that has been passed down to the present.

Xinhua