Chinese oracle-bone inscriptions listed as UNESCO's Memory of the World

Oracle-bone inscriptions from ancient China have now been included in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, according to the official website of the institution.

An inscribed plastron is on display at the National Museum of Chinese Writing in Anyang City, Henan Province on July 14, 2017. [File photo: VCG]

Oracle-bone inscriptions are the earliest documents found in China, dating back to the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC).

The inscriptions on tortoise shells and animal bones were commonly used for divination and praying and represent the original characters of the Chinese written language.

They were first discovered in 1899 from the Ruins of Yin in Anyang City, Henan Province.

Oracle-bone inscriptions are important in the research of people's lives in the Shang Dynasty, as well as the study of the Chinese language.

An inscribed piece of oracle bone (cattle shoulder) is on display at the Museum of Yin Ruins in Anyang City, Henan Province on July 13, 2017. [File photo: VCG]

"The archives of Suzhou silk from modern and contemporary times" and "official records of Macao during the Qing Dynasty (1693-1886)" are the other two items from China which were included in the Register this year.

The Memory of the World Program was established by UNESCO in 1992 to preserve documentary heritage around the world. Items are inscribed onto the Register every two years.