Abstract: Depositional environment study has been conducted based on comprehensive analysis for each formation of Late Carboniferous-Early Permian in southern Hetian area of southwest Tarim basin, including their lithology, sedimentary structure, paleobiology, element geochemistry and other sedimentary facies markers. The Late Carboniferous-Early Permian may be divided into two depositional periods, namely, the early subperiod and late subperiod, with their related sedimentary patterns. Then, on such basis, the evolutionary history of Carboniferous-Permian sediments in that area has been analyzed.

Key words: Tarim basin, Southwest, Late Carboniferous, Early Permian, sedimentary facies, evolution