Archaeal 16S rDNA clone libraries were constructed for samples taken at 10, 20 and 30 m depth in a landfill, which corresponded approximately 3, 6 and 9 years operation, respectively. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of representative clones showed that all of the rDNAs were closely related to typical methanogens. The distributions of phylotypes in clone libraries were similar to each other. Dominant clones in all the clone libraries were closely related to thermophilic species, such as Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus, suggesting that the temperatures at these sites were high. This was supported by the results of H2-dependent methanogenic activity tests, showing that the activities of all samples at 55 degrees C were much higher than those at 25 degrees C.