Chinese script narrowly defined as the writing carved on stones dated before the Qin dynasty (221-206 BCE), as represented by Zhou wen. Appearing around the Zhou dynasty, the great seal script evolved from the oracle bone script, but the character structures became neater and tidier. The term is used generally for all writings made before the Qin, including oracle bone inscriptions, bronze inscriptions, Zhou wen, and those used in the Six States during the Eastern Zhou.
