Oracle Bone Script is one of the earliest forms of Chinese writing, dating back to the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE). It was primarily used for divination, where questions were inscribed on animal bones or turtle shells, and then heated until they cracked. The patterns of the cracks were interpreted by diviners to provide answers or predictions. The script consists of pictographs and ideographs, representing objects and ideas. Over time, Oracle Bone Script evolved into more complex forms of writing, influencing later scripts such as Seal Script and Clerical Script. Today, it provides valuable insights into early Chinese civilization and its culture.