What major achievement is attributed to the Shang Dynasty in terms of writing?

Prepare for the University of Toronto ANT100Y1 Introduction to Anthropology Midterm Test. Enhance your understanding with multiple-choice questions and detailed explanations. Get ready for success in your anthropology exam!

The achievement attributed to the Shang Dynasty in terms of writing is the earliest evidence of writing using oracle bones. This form of writing represents a crucial development in the history of Chinese civilization, as oracle bones were used for divination and were inscribed with the earliest forms of Chinese characters. These inscriptions provide valuable insights into the beliefs, practices, and social structures of the Shang period.

Oracle bones are significant because they are among the oldest known examples of written Chinese language, dating back to around 1200 BCE. This early writing system laid the foundation for the development of Chinese script, allowing for record-keeping, communication, and the establishment of a more complex society.

The other options do not relate to the Shang Dynasty's contributions to writing. The invention of papyrus is associated with ancient Egypt, hieroglyphics were a writing system utilized by the Egyptians, and the Latin alphabet originated in ancient Rome, long after the Shang Dynasty had declined.

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