Definition Jiaguwen Heji (甲骨文合集) is a comprehensive published collection of rubbings and inscriptions from oracle bones inscribed with Jiaguwen, the earliest known form of Chinese writing. The compilation systematically gathers and catalogues oracle bone inscriptions discovered primarily at the Yinxu archaeological site near modern Anyang, Henan Province, dating from the Late Shang Dynasty (c. 1250–1046 BCE).
Overview Jiaguwen Heji was compiled between the 1970s and 1980s under the editorial direction of Guo Moruo and Hu Houxuan, published in 13 volumes by Zhonghua Book Company. The project aimed to consolidate previously scattered oracle bone inscriptions from various sources, including excavated materials, private collections, and earlier publications. It contains over 41,000 recorded inscriptions, many with photographic reproductions, rubbings, transcriptions, and annotations, serving as a foundational reference for the study of early Chinese writing, language, history, and divination practices.
Etymology/Origin The term "Jiaguwen Heji" translates as "Collected Oracle Bone Inscriptions." "Jiaguwen" (甲骨文) refers to the script inscribed on ox scapulae and turtle plastrons ("jiagu" meaning "shell and bone") used for pyromantic divination. "Heji" (合集) means "collected edition" or "compendium." The compilation was initiated by the Institute of History at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and reflects decades of scholarship on Shang Dynasty epigraphy.
Characteristics The Jiaguwen Heji is organized into categories based on subject matter, such as royal lineage, warfare, agriculture, meteorology, and religious rituals. Each entry typically includes:
- A unique accession number (e.g., Heji 1001),
- A rubbing or image of the inscription,
- A transcription into modern Chinese characters,
- Annotations identifying the period, king's reign, and content summary,
- Reference to original sources or preceding publications.
The collection is noted for its rigorous philological approach, cross-referencing, and integration of archaeological and textual data.
Related Topics
- Oracle bone script (Jiaguwen)
- Shang Dynasty archaeology
- Yinxu site
- Chinese paleography
- Guo Moruo
- Chinese writing system development
- Divination in ancient China
Jiaguwen Heji remains one of the most authoritative and widely cited sources in the field of early Chinese epigraphy and historical linguistics.