Abstract:
The depicting symbols of unearthed archaeological materials should be classified into two groups: hieroglyphs and abstract symbols. In terms of character of script, Chinese characters originated from hieroglyphical depicting symbols rather than abstract ones. The origination of Chinese characters went through a protracted process of development, from “morphological symbols” through “literal drawings” to system of literal symbols as regular writing characters to record language. In terms of the depicting symbols on unearthed potteries, especially a comparison between symbols on unearthed potteries and morphs of oracle unearthed from the Yin ruins, early Chinese writing characters were estimated to have originated in the period of the Peiligan and Daxi civilizations, dating back to between 8,000 and 7,000. The late Yangshao civilization, dating back to 5,000 marked a period of acceleration of literal symbols. The regular system of Chinese characters took shape in the period of the Longshan civilization, dating back to 5,000 years ago, which happened to be between the legendary period of Emperors Yao and Shun and the early Xia Dynasty.
