Oracle Bones - The Origin of Chinese Writings in Episode 20

Skeletons of six dogs and 16 humans were also found at the tomb, which point towards sacrifice. Oracle bones often had future predictions written on them. They would be subjected to heat either by being cast on to flames or by having heated bronze pressed against it. The resultant reaction of the bone would tell the person whether the prediction may come true or not. Ritual human sacrifices were as relevant in china as anywhere else that we have already discussed. And typically it would be young males who would be sacrificed. These mass sacrifices could go from dozens at one time to hundreds.