Abstract: In order to create a technically more effective and more economical method of decontamination by which complete decomposition of all injurious substances is obtained in simple fashion, it is proposed, in connection with a method and a plant for the treatment of contaminated soils, that the drying can be combined in a mill passed through by hot gases with a crushing of the material to a particle size of 0 to 10 mm, that after the drying the material, together with the gaseous phase, be treated in the form of a solid/gas dispersion in a heating and decontamination path with burner, with a temperature within the range of 800.degree. C. to 1200.degree. C.