A soil survey around the archaeological site of Harappa, Pakistan, revealed alluvial deposits of five distinct ages based on relative position in the landscape and degree of soil profile development. The youngest deposit (age 1) is in the lowest landscape position and has received flood waters as recently as 1988. Soils there are in an incipient stage of development: only organic carbon and soluble salts have accumulated at the surface of the profile. The age 2 deposit has not undergone significant pedogenic change, but is in a slightly higher landscape position than the youngest deposit. Elevated concentrations of phosphorus, and the presence of sand-sized pottery and brick fragments, indicate that this deposit was derived at least partially from archaeological material. The presence of small, soft calcite nodules (Stage II) and some soluble salt translocation are the primary pedogenic changes observed in the age 3 deposit. The age 4 deposit shows evidence of both carbonate and gypsum accumulation. Presence of large gypsum nodules in deep horizons (referred to as the By horizon) suggests that a high groundwater table has altered these soils. The oldest deposit, age 5, forms a late Pleistocene stream terrace of the Ravi River. The soil formed in this deposit exhibits considerable carbonate accumulation, with large, dense nodules (Stage II+) and an argillic horizon. A carbon-14 date from pedogenic calcite gives an age of 7080 ± 90 years BP, indicating a minimum age of early Holocene. The soil survey suggests that the ancient city of Harappa was built on an age 5 stream terrace remnant, surrounded by Holocene floodplains and a meandering channel of the Ravi River.