A newly published article in the European Journal of Soil Science, with the participation of Grace B. Alves, argues that the soil profile remains an indispensable tool for understanding soil genesis, functioning, and degradation. The paper shows that describing horizons, layers, and morphological features allows researchers to interpret processes that cannot be captured by surface-only sampling. This makes soil profile description essential for sustainable land management, environmental conservation, and the reconstruction of landscape history. The article also warns about the weakening of training in pedology and advocates for the integration of field observation, sensors, artificial intelligence, and digital soil mapping.