Animal, Human, God: Pathways of Shang Animality and Divinity

A groundbreaking analysis of the Shang dynasty's cultural practices reveals intricate connections between animals, humans, and deities at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Yin Xu. The study highlights how chariots, dogs, and trophy deer skulls were integral to ritualistic and social hierarchies, serving as symbols of power and spiritual significance. Through meticulous examination of archaeological artifacts—including bronze bells, inscribed oracle bones, and monumental contexts such as slab burials—the research reconstructs the afterlife practices and divinity pathways of the Shang elite, particularly focusing on figures like Fu Hao. The approach combines spatial analysis of excavated sites with iconographic studies, offering a nuanced understanding of animality and divinity in ancient Chinese society.

Campbell, R. (2014). Animal, Human, God: Pathways of Shang Animality and Divinity. Animals and Inequality in the Ancient World, 251–273. https://doi.org/10.5876/9781607322863.c012