&NA;There is no consistent theory that explains the patchy distribution of chernozemic soils in Central Germany. Mounting evidence suggests that prehistoric human activities may have interfered with natural pedogenesis on a large scale. Therefore, we undertook to identify parameters that would enable researchers to infer a human interference with pedogenesis. We selected a soil with a known history of prehistoric influence (Seeben), later referred to as ancient soil, and a reference soil (Zöberitz) with properties representative of the chernozemic soils in the vicinity. We did a survey of parameters that are commonly used to characterize pedogenetic dynamics and combined this with an investigation of organic matter properties.We found that prehistoric land use has predominantly modified the properties of the subsoil, rendering it unlikely that such modifications are the result of either (i) contemporary agricultural management or (ii) natural input dynamics via root systems or bioturbation. Soil color was darker, bulk density higher, and C/N ratio wider in the ancient soil. The mineral matrix was uniform down to a depth of 95 cm in the ancient soil, whereas a B‐horizon with a corresponding change in clay mineral assemblage was developed in the reference soil. Compared with the reference soil, the carbon stock was elevated by a factor of 2.5 in the ancient soil, with more carbon associated with the clay fraction. We identified large contributions of charred organic matter in the ancient soil by two independent methods (Benzene polycarboxylic acid BPCA; Transmission electron microscopy, TEM), and confirmed by means of solid‐state crosspolarization/magic angle spinning/nuclear magnetic resonance (13C‐CPMAS‐NMR) spectroscopy that organic matter aromaticity was higher in the ancient soil. We suggest that any simultaneous occurrence of several of the observations listed above should be regarded as a strong indication for human interference with soil genesis. (Soil Science 2003;168:292‐306)