Disclosed is a method of manufacturing aluminum nitride, which comprises the steps of preparing a mixed gas consisting essentially of an ammonia gas and at least 0.5% by volume of a hydrocarbon gas, calcining .gamma.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 or a precursor thereof at 300.degree. to 1,100.degree. C. so as to prepare the .gamma.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 having a moisture content of 1 weight % or less; heating the calcined .gamma.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 in the mixed gas at a temperature of 1,200.degree. to 1,700.degree. C., thereby preparing porous aluminum nitride having a specific surface area of 10 m.sup.2 /g or more; and heat-treating the porous aluminum nitride in an atmosphere of an ammonia gas, or a mixed gas of an ammonia gas and an inert gas, at 1600.degree. to 2000.degree. C., so as to make contents of both carbon and oxygen contained in the aluminum nitride 1 weight % or less.