Soils developed from mica schist in Eastern Nepal (The Himalayas) were investigated. All soil horizons were characterized by high organic carbon and extractable aluminum contents. Chemical and physical analyses indicated andic soil properties. No short-range order minerals could be detected. It is assumed that aluminum is linked to the organic matter, which leads to insolubilization and stabilization of the organic material against microbial degradation. The formation of Al-humus complexes instead of short-range order minerals is preferred if enough Al and water-soluble organic compounds are present. Al-humus complexes are considered responsible for the formation of Andisols from nonvolcanic parent material. The soil is classified as Dystric Haplustand, medial, mesic (US Soil Taxonomy)