The earliest writing? Sign use in the seventh millennium BC at Jiahu, Henan Province, China
- 1 March 2003
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in Antiquity
- Vol. 77 (295), 31-44
- https://doi.org/10.1017/s0003598x00061329
Abstract
Early Neolithic graves at Jiahu, Henan Province, China, include tortoise shells which are incised with signs – some of which anticipate later Chinese characters and may be intended as words. Is this the earliest writing? The authors decide rather that the signs in this very early period performed as symbols connected with ritual practice, but they presage a long period of sign use which led eventually to a writing system.Keywords
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