Abstract: By the laboratory compression test under super high pressure, the evolution of the Tertiary argillaceous sediments in the upstream of Yellow River from soil to rock reappears. Due to the strong geological tectonics and distinct differential upwarping in the formation of Qinghai Tibet Platean, the Tertiary argillaceous sediments have good physical and mechanical properties. The laboratory compression test also proves that the argillaceous sediments studied in this paper had ever suffered high compressive pressures. The correlation between void ratio and pressure obtained from the laboratory compression test can be used to evaluate the mechanical parameters of the Tertiary argillaceous sediments, by contrast to the in situ deformation tests. Therefore, the laboratory compression test in this paper is very convenient and economic to be used to predict the mechanical parameters of the Neogene argillaceous sediments, especially where the in situ tests are difficult to carry out.