石炭(通稱煤炭)在現代工業上的重要,由於石炭的號稱‘黑金’,便可明白。中國關於石炭的發現和利用,亦有極悠久的歷史,但典籍缺乏系統記載,學者也未認真整理,近人有論及的,也頗多誤舉,由於石炭在國家經濟建設上的重要及其與人民生活關係的密切,爲瞭解歷代對於石炭的知識而作一簡略考察,是有必要的。 The importance of carbonaceous coal (commonly known as coal) in modern industry can be understood because of its claim to ’black gold’. China also has a long history of discovering and utilizing carboniferous rocks. However, there is a lack of systematic records of the ancient books and scholars, and scholars have not done any serious work. Some people have also made a lot of mistakes because of the importance of carbonation in the economic construction of the country. Closely related to people’s life, it is necessary to make a brief survey to understand the ancient knowledge of carbon.