A sol leading to a eutectic Al2O3-Al5O12 composition was spun into fibers. These fibers were dried and pyrolyzed between 200degrees and 850degreesC in a nitrogen or water-vapor atmosphere. Pyrolysis in nitrogen resulted in dense, amorphous fibers with considerable residual carbon content. In water vapor, fibers also remained amorphous, but organics were almost completely removed. The loss of organics created micropores that grew as the pyrolysis temperature increased. The amorphous fiber structures were examined by nitrogen adsorption, helium pycnometry, and transmission electron microscopy. Young's moduli of the pyrolyzed fibers were measured, and porosities of the fibers were calculated from both nitrogen-adsorption data and elastic behavior. Sintering tests showed the best sinterability for fibers pyrolyzed in water vapor to 385degrees-500degreesC.