Jiahu Symbols: Early Chinese Markings on Tortoise Shells

Between 7000 and 6200 BCE, inhabitants of the Neolithic settlement at Jiahu in China's Yellow River basin inscribed symbols on tortoise shells. The markings consisted of pictographic signs found in burial contexts. Some researchers noted similarities between these symbols and later Chinese oracle bone script, though the markings are considered proto-writing rather than a complete writing system. The settlement also produced bone flutes, evidence of rice cultivation, and fermented beverages.