In 1977, the oracle bones from Zhouyuan site were unearthed for the first time and became important cultural relics for research on the Western Zhou dynasty. To help protect the precious oracle bones and realize the current situation, this barch of oracle bones is compared with the fresh ones unearthed in 2010. Scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence have been used to show surface microscopic characteristics, elemental composition and the chemical structure. The results indicate that after more than two thousand years hidden in the earth, pickling and about 30 years exposing in the air, the oracle bones unearthed in 1977 have deteriorated significantly, for example, by powdering, the fading away of microporous structure and disorderly cracking. Inorganic elements like hydroxyapatite have remained, but proteins and other organic compounds have decomposed. For the oracle bones unearthed in 2010 and kept without any human disturbance, the surface is smooth and there is a small amount of retained organic matter. This research result can be used as a basic reference for researches on methods and materials for or4acle relics preservation.