Yinxu, or
Yin Xu, (
OC *ʔər,
modern ; ) is the site of one of the ancient and major
historical capitals of China. It is the source of the archeological discovery of
oracle bones and
oracle bone script, which resulted in the recognition of the earliest known
Chinese writing. The archeological remnants (or ruins) known as Yinxu represent the ancient city of Yin, the last capital of
China's
Shang dynasty which existed through eight generations for 255 years, and through the reign of 12 kings. Yinxu was discovered, or rediscovered, in 1899; it is one of China's oldest and largest archeological sites, and is an
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Yinxu is located in northernmost
Henan province near the modern city of
Anyang, and near the
Hebei and
Shanxi province borders. Public access to the site is permitted.