ABSTRACT
The basis of shamanism, according to K. C. Chang, is the concept of a contract between people and spirits in ancient China. The spirits were believed to be just as “real” as humans, but only some special people could communicate with them. The last capital of the Shang dynasty was at the present city of Anyang. Archaeology began in earnest when caches of oracle bones were found at the site of Yinxu, in Anyang. The archaeology there has proven to be very rich, and surprising discoveries continue to be made, over a span of almost eighty years. A number of wu are recorded by name in the oracle bones, some of whom had the family name of Wu. Other wu were relatives of the Shang king. Oracle bone inscriptions contain many references to wine. The number and quantity of bronze wine vessels is astonishing.
