Earliest systematic coal exploitation for fuel extended to similar to 3600 BP

Coal has long fueled human civilizations. The history of systematic coal fuel exploitation has been traced back to the late third millennium before present (post-2500 B.P.). Although sporadic combustion of coal for fuel was reported in some prehistoric archaeological sites, evidence for the systematic exploitation of coal for fuel before 2500 B.P. remains lacking. Here, we report comprehensive understanding for the earliest systematic exploitation of coal for fuel at the Jirentaigoukou site in Xinjiang, northwestern China, at similar to 3600 B.P. The main body of the site witnessed systematic exploitation of bituminous coals, illustrating a complete chaine operatoire with selective mining, planned storage, and extensive combustion. Our results transform the knowledge of energy history by extending the upper limit of the systematic exploitation of coal for fuel by approximately a millennium, and provide a precedent of energy transition under intense conflict between social demand and environmental deterioration.

Automated summary

The earliest systematic exploitation of coal for fuel has been discovered at the Jirentaigoukou site in Xinjiang, China, dating back to approximately 3600 years ago. This finding extends the upper limit of coal fuel exploitation by about a millennium and demonstrates the transition of energy sources under intense conflict between social demand and environmental deterioration.