Amazing Oracle Bone Scripts ⑧ | A 'Prince's Diary' in Oracle Bone Scripts
了不起的甲骨文 ⑧ | 甲骨文里有本“王子日记”
Is it true that there was an adorable "little prince" in the Shang Dynasty 3000 years ago? Who exactly was that "prince"? On January 14, the reporter from Henan International Communication Center came to the special exhibition of oracle bones excavated in the east of Huayuan Village at Anyang Yin Ruins Museum learned from Dr. Yu Chenglong, the curator and expert in cultural heritage protection and archaeological research at Anyang Cultural Heritage Administration, that the exhibition was to reveal the identity of that 'little prince' from the Shang Dynasty.
3000年前的商代曾有位集万千宠爱于一身的“小王子”？这位“王子”究竟是谁？1月14日，记者来到安阳殷墟博物馆三楼的殷墟花园庄东地甲骨特展，策展人、安阳市文物局文化遗产与文物保护及考古研究专员于成龙博士告诉记者，“子何人哉”——殷墟花园庄东地甲骨特展的内容就是揭秘“子”这位“商代小王子”。
According to Dr. Yu, in October 1991, the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences conducted archaeological excavations at a rectangular pit labeled Huadong H3 in the east of Huayuan Village at Yin Ruins. They unearthed 1,583 pieces of turtle shells and animal bones, 689 of which had over 2,250 divination records during the reign of King Wu Ding (? — 1192 BC) of the Shang Dynasty.
于成龙介绍，1991年10月，中国社会科学院考古研究所在殷墟花园庄东地一编号花东H3长方形窖藏进行考古发掘，出土龟甲与兽骨1583片，其中689片甲骨上面刻写着2250余条商王武丁时期的占卜记录。
"In Oracle-Bone inscriptions, the character '子' was a term of respect for the querent. With Extensive research into the divination texts and relative artifacts, scholars believe that the '子' on these excavated bones refers to a prince in the Shang Dynasty whose parents were King Wu Ding and Lady Fu Hao," said Dr. Yu. The divination records reveal that "子" had attended many public and personal events, including rituals, military, hunting, meteorology, schooling, music and dance, archery, equestrianism, and medicine. These detailed descriptions won the record fame as a Prince's Diary.
“‘子’是问卜者的尊称，通过进一步研究卜辞和对有关文物的深入解读，很多学者认为，‘子’是商王朝王子，且是商王武丁与妇好之子，即古代典籍中的‘孝己’，也是商代甲骨文中的‘小王’。”于成龙说，占卜记录显示，“子”决疑事项包括祭祀、军事、田猎、天气及入学、乐舞、射箭、御马、疾病等众多领域，可谓一部“王子日记”。
How did we know he was a prince? Dr. Yu explained that, firstly, from the perspective of rituals, he presided over sacrifices and showed interest in agricultural production. Besides, he once used 105 cattle in a sacrifice, which indicated his substantial economic power. His royal relation to the king was also evident from whom the sacrifice was in memory. Secondly, he shared a unique bond with King Wu Ding. For instance, it is recorded that King Wu Ding would enter his dance classes. Thirdly, he organized hunting expeditions and led influential nobles and military officers on campaigns, with the obedience of other high-ranking officials of the Shang Dynasty.
“子”的身份如何推断而来？于成龙解释，一是从祭祀层面。他亲自主持祭祀，关注农业生产，有一次祭祀用了105头牛，代表了其雄厚的经济实力。从他祭祀对象的血缘来看，也圈定了他是商王的血亲。二是“子”和“武丁”的关系非同寻常，“比如‘子’上舞蹈课，武丁会来观看。”三是“子”位高权重，组织田猎，率重要诸侯及武官出征，其他商王朝诸子、诸侯及内服外服职官对他唯命是从。
The exhibition features a pale purple wall adorned with golden oracle bone inscriptions. "This is the little prince's academic timetable, including chariot driving and at least six types of dances," said Dr. Yu.
展览中有一面淡紫色墙壁，上面贴着一些金色的甲骨文字，于成龙介绍：“这就是小王子的‘课程表’，其中，‘驾车’就是一门课。‘子’至少学习了六种舞蹈。”
The reporter noticed an absence note dating back 3000 years. It records that '子' fell ill one day but didn't dare to skip classes without a good reason. So, he asked for divination to see if his illness was severe.
记者注意到，这批甲骨中还有一张3000年前的“请假条”。卜辞记录“子”入学后有一日生病，但又不敢无故旷课，于是他就占卜，疾病是否严重？是否能去上学？
"The oracle-bone scripts of the Shang Dynasty are like an encyclopedia of that era. The 'Prince's Diary' enriches our understanding of the social class, family structure, and patriarchal clan system of the Shang Dynasty, laying a solid foundation for further study of the society, history, and cultural customs of the Shang Dynasty," Dr. Yu introduced. He also extended a warm welcome to archaeology fans and tourists for a close reading of the “Prince's Diary” once the new building of Yin Ruins Museum opens to the public.
“商代的甲骨文就是当时社会的一部百科全书。这部‘王子日记’丰富了有关商王朝的社会内部结构、家族结构以及宗法制史料，为下一步深入研究商朝社会历史文化风貌奠定了坚实基础。”于成龙表示，等殷墟博物馆正式对外开馆后，欢迎广大考古爱好者和游客来此品读这本甲骨文里的“王子日记”。（来源/河南日报 记者/谢建晓 杨之甜 编译/童林 审校/丁岚）