This paper presents some of the personal reflections of an archaeologist who studied soil sciences at Ghent University in the 1980s. The paper focuses on how soil science, amongst other sciences, gradually found its place in archaeological practice in Flanders, in part thanks to opportunities and activities at Ghent University between 1984 and 2005. Nowadays, the curricula/ educational programmes of the universities in Flanders do not at all stimulate the interaction between soil sciences and archaeology. This feels like a setback, back to the pre-1984 era, which is unfortunate, as earth scientists familiar with archaeology are needed more than ever for archaeological fieldwork in 21 st century Flanders. ... : This article is part of a book edited at the occasion of the Geoarchaeological meeting of Bruges: Soils as records of Past and Present: the geoarchaeological approach. Focus on: is there time for fieldwork today? - Bruges (Belgium), 6 and 7.11.2019. Editors Judit Deák, Carole Ampe and Jari Hinsch Mikkelsen Technical editor Mariebelle Deceuninck English language reviewer Caroline Landsheere Graphic design Frederick Moyaert Printing and binding Die Keure, Bruges ...