Cracking bones and numbers: solving the enigma of numerical sequences on ancient Chinese artifacts
Bréard A, Cook CA (2020)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2020
Journal
Book Volume: 74
Pages Range: 313-343
Journal Issue: 4
DOI: 10.1007/s00407-019-00245-9
Abstract
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.
Authors with CRIS profile
Additional Organisation(s)
Involved external institutions
Lehigh University
United States (USA) (US)
University of Paris 11 - Paris-Sud / Université Paris XI Paris-Sud
France (FR)
United States (USA) (US)
University of Paris 11 - Paris-Sud / Université Paris XI Paris-Sud
France (FR)
How to cite
APA:
Bréard, A., & Cook, C.A. (2020). Cracking bones and numbers: solving the enigma of numerical sequences on ancient Chinese artifacts. Archive For History of Exact Sciences, 74(4), 313-343. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00407-019-00245-9
MLA:
Bréard, Andrea, and Constance A. Cook. "Cracking bones and numbers: solving the enigma of numerical sequences on ancient Chinese artifacts." Archive For History of Exact Sciences 74.4 (2020): 313-343.
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