Pronunciation: [jˈɪŋksuː] (IPA) 
The spelling of "Yinxu" is quite unique and may be difficult to master for non-native speakers. The word is pronounced as /ˈjɪnˈʃu/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "yin" is pronounced as in "pin", while the second syllable "xu" is pronounced as in "shoe". "Yinxu" is the name of an archaeological site in China and is also known as the Yin dynasty capital. The word is written in simplified Chinese characters as 殷墟.
Yinxu, also known as the Yin Dynasty or the Shang Dynasty, refers to an ancient archaeological site and capital city located near modern-day Anyang in Henan province, China. It is one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in Chinese history and was an integral part of the Chinese Bronze Age civilization. The term "Yinxu" translates to "Yin ruins" or "Yin palace," alluding to the remnants of the royal palace complex found at the site.
Yinxu was the last capital city of the Shang Dynasty (also known as the Yin Dynasty), which ruled over a vast territory in the Yellow River Valley from approximately the 16th to the 11th century BCE. The site was rediscovered in 1899, and subsequent excavations led to the unearthing of numerous artifacts and inscriptions that shed light on the customs, technology, politics, religion, and social structure of the Shang Dynasty.
The most remarkable finding at Yinxu is the discovery of oracle bones, inscribed turtle shells or animal bones used for divination purposes. These oracle bones provide valuable insights into the early Chinese writing system and have aided in the understanding of the Shang Dynasty's political and cultural landscape.
Yinxu has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2006 and is considered a pivotal archaeological site in Chinese history. Its rich discoveries deeply influenced scholars' understanding of ancient China, and its historical and cultural significance continues to be explored and studied today.
The word "Yinxu" is derived from Chinese. It consists of two characters: "Yin" (殷) and "Xu" (墟).
1. "Yin" (殷): The character "Yin" refers to the ancient Chinese dynasty called the Shang Dynasty (商朝) that ruled from approximately 1600 to 1046 BCE. It is believed to be the first dynasty in Chinese history that left behind written records.
2. "Xu" (墟): The character "Xu" means "ruins" or "remains". It implies a site or place where something has been left behind or abandoned.
Therefore, "Yinxu" (殷墟) roughly translates to "Ruins of Yin" or "Remains of the Shang Dynasty".
