From archaeological excavations on the banks of the Huan River to a cultural landmark of global significance, the Oracle Bone Script of Yinxu in Anyang is now engaging with the world in new ways after three millennia, becoming a vital cultural bridge connecting the past and the present, and China with the world.

As the ancient capital site with the longest continuous excavation period in Chinese archaeological history, it has not only witnessed the rise and fall of the Shang Dynasty but also nurtured the origin of Chinese characters – the Oracle Bone Script. Since the initial excavations began in 1928, nearly a century of ongoing archaeological work has brought the "Great Settlement of Shang" from the inscriptions into clearer focus, pushing China's verified history forward by approximately 1,000 years. These ancient carvings bear not only history but also the enduring cultural genes of the Chinese nation.

In today's Anyang, elements of the Oracle Bone Inscriptions are integrated into the city's fabric: over a hundred Oracle Bone Script study rooms dot the streets, calisthenics incorporate oracle bone character forms, and even crosswalks and manhole covers are engraved with these ancient symbols. The new Yinxu Museum features a globally pioneering "stratigraphic suspension" design, transforming the archaeological site into an immersive exhibition space. AI technology aids in deciphering the Script, holographic projections recreate historical scenes like "Fu Hao's Expedition" and "Oracle Bone Divination," making the 3,000-year-old civilization dynamic and trendy.

From its inclusion in the World Cultural Heritage List and UNESCO's "Memory of the World Register," to its digital practices being selected as cases at the World Internet Conference, its global value is increasingly recognized. The Yinxu Museum has established cooperation with nearly 20 museums in countries like the UK, France, the US, and Japan. The "Yin Qi Wen Yuan" big data platform enables the "digital homecoming" of oracle bones from around the world. Overseas exhibitions have reached the UN Headquarters, the first overseas Oracle Bone Script study room has been established in Malaysia, and cultural creative products are selling globally, making the Oracle Bone Script a common language for civilizational dialogue.

Standing at this new historical starting point, the Oracle Bone Script of Yinxu in Anyang will continue to witness the exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and other world civilizations, injecting enduring cultural strength into the building of a global community with a shared future.

Web editors: Shen Jianqi, Li Siyao