Seven oracle bones recording Shang lunar eclipses are recognized. One reads on its reverse, "On the ren-shen night of the tenth day, the moon had an eclipse" — calculated to match a partial lunar eclipse on 25 October 1189 BC.
Account
Seven oracle bones recording Shang lunar eclipses are recognized. One reads on its reverse: "On the ren-shen night of the tenth day, the moon had an eclipse" — corresponding to a partial lunar eclipse on 25 October 1189 BC. Another reads: "On the third day, yiyou evening, the moon had an eclipse; it was reported, in the eighth month." The character "reported" (wen) indicates the Shang had already established a system for local officials to report celestial events to the king.
Sources
- Yinxu oracle bones