Inscribed Plastron Ping 0086
The front records divinations respectively on whether the king would catch deer, elaphures, and buffalos. Apart from these, the inscriptions of offering dogs, goats, and men show evidence of human sacrifice in the Shang period. The back records a cattle sacrifice, and the acquisition of 451 elaphures, which is an exceedingly big game number of one single species.
Ping 0086
: A bird in hand means “captured.”
: A deer featuring a pair of bifurcated antlers.
: A net means “captured.”
: The character “elaphure” comprises “deer” and a phonetic radical.
: The profile of a wild buffalo in a standing position featuring the big horn.
: A goat in captivity prepared for oblation.
: A man standing in attendance with hands down.
: The profile of a dog in a standing position featuring an upturned tail.
: A goat’s head with decurved horns.
Ping 0087 (Back Side)
: A cattle’s head with upcurved horns means “domesticated cattle,” which is a usual sacrifice.
Ping 0086
: A bird in hand means “captured.” : A deer featuring a pair of bifurcated antlers. : A net means “captured.” : The character “elaphure” comprises “deer” and a phonetic radical. : The profile of a wild buffalo in a standing position featuring the big horn. : A goat in captivity prepared for oblation. : A man standing in attendance with hands down. : The profile of a dog in a standing position featuring an upturned tail. : A goat’s head with decurved horns.Ping 0087 (Back Side)
: A cattle’s head with upcurved horns means “domesticated cattle,” which is a usual sacrifice.- Item No.
- R044293
- Period
- Late Shang Period
- Dimensions
- 29.7(L)×15.8(W) cm
- Excavated/Findspot
- Pit YH127, Hsiao-t'un, Anyang County, Honan Province
- Materials
- Turtle Plastron
