指南针是我国四大发明之一。我国早期指南仪器——司南,亦称指南,发明于战国这一结论,自张荫麟、王振铎两先生发表有关考证文章以来,已成定论,为中国科技史界及社会所普遍承认。近年,先后有人撰文质疑,提出指南针发明于汉代,或干脆认为根本世间就无司南一物,司南为北斗的代称。这个已经解决了的问题又重新被人们郑重地提出来。由于我馆藏有汉代司南复原模型,理应对司南的出现、流传及其消逝的来笼去脉给于答释。关于司南出现的时间为了说明司南出现的时间,我们还是从文献的理解入手,来判断司南出现的年代。有关司南的主要文献有三条: (一)《韩非子·有度篇》:“夫人臣侵其主 Compass is one of the four inventions in our country. Since the publication of relevant research articles by Zhang Yinlin and Wang Zhenduo, the guidebook for the early stage of our country, Sinan, also known as the guide, was invented in the Warring States Period. It has become a general conclusion to the history of science and technology in China and to society. In recent years, some people have questioned the author and proposed that the compass be invented in the Han Dynasty, or that there is no such thing as a south one in the fundamental world. The problem that has been solved has been re-raised by people solemnly. Due to the collection of the rebuilding model of the Han dynasty in our country, we should give a reply to the emergence, spread and disappearance of Si Nan. About the time when Secretary SA appeared In order to show the time that Secretary SA appeared, we started with the understanding of the literature to judge the age of SCI. There are three main documents about Secretary Nam: (a) “Han Feizi degree article”: "Mrs. Chen invasion of its main