Research on Newly-Found Writing of ox Bone in Warring States

Abstract

Writing of ox bone found in Zheng and Han areas is another important discovery for characters of Warring States. It presents the true appearance of Jin writing of Warring States. “卤”, “叔” in the previous report should be “昷”, “先”. And “起” is not explained in the previous report. Based on the way of writing of “巳（已）”, “卩” in Han Dynasty wooden tablets should be explained as “巳（已）”. The characters of ox bone were written curtly, briefly and optionally, they demonstrate changing sign like Qin characters changing into Clerical script, such as radical “水” is “氵”, like clerical script. Evolution of clerical script includes two concepts such as generalization and narrow sense, and generalization sense have characters of six countries. The discovery of writing of ox bone further demonstrates that evolution of clerical script is a common evolution trend of characters in different countries in Warring States.