the deterioration of solid radioactive waste buried in soil is an important consideration when estimating the migration of radionuclides from the burial site, planning procedures for exhuming buried waste, and evaluating hazards caused by intentional or unintentional uncovering of the waste. this report presents observations during the excavation of low-level waste buried for 14 years in the humid environment of the savannah river plant. the radiation dose rates that were used to define the limits for low-level beta-gamma wastes were 50 mr/hr from an unshielded package or 50 mr/hr at 10 feet from a truck load. the waste was buried in sandy clay soil trenches more than 20 feet above the water table and covered with soil soon after burial. rainfall for the area averages 47 inches per year. because of the higher water permeability in backfilled soil than in undisturbed soil, perched water was sometimes found in the bottom of some trenches. however, the duration and/or extent of perched water is limited so that most waste is not subjected to water-saturated soil. the waste uncovered included wood, steel, plastics, cotton cloth, rubber, and paper. cardboard boxes not enclosed in plastic were the only materials that deteriorated visibly. apparently, decades would be required for all cellulose materials to decompose; plastics, rubber, and metals will probably survive indefinitely. (era citation 02:045176)