One of the greatest cities of the ancient world, Petra was the capital of the powerful Nabataean kingdom for two and a half centuries (mid-2nd century BC-AD 106). The site is located in southern Jordan, approximately midway between Aqaba and the Dead Sea. Soil studies were carried out during the archaeological investigation of the Garden and Pool Complex located in Petra's city center. Soils were described at 18 locations in the study area and four profiles were selected for laboratory study. Soils were developed in parent material from sandy and gravelly deposits (Wadi sediments), sandstone, colluvium from sandstone, and eolian sand and silts. The dominant texture of the soils was sandy loam, but rounded gravels made up significant amount of coarse fragments in the profiles. All profiles showed disturbance in the upper 0.5 to 1.0 meter from past human activity, and buried surfaces were noted in most profiles. Soils were generally low in organic matter in modern surfaces, but higher organic matter contents were found in the buried surfaces. Extractable P, B, and Sr were useful in determining buried surfaces and intensity of occupation. Horizons with high concentrations of extractable Pb seem to be associated with Roman occupation of the site.