Abstract: The invention is a method for cleaning up contaminated soil containing not only different types of hydrocarbons but also heavy metals and cyanades which upon heating of the soil can form dioxin and benzofuran products. According to the invention the production of said products is prevented by keeping the wall temperature of the rotating furnace at a high level such that its temperature during the entire process is higher than the temperature of spontaneous combustion of the pyrolyses products of which at least the hydrocarbons bind the oxygen in the furnace. The oxygen content may be further influenced by the infeed of an inert gas and/or by adding an organic fraction such as humus.