A thin-layer chromatography method using Mikropolyamide F 1700 for identifying the more important natural dyes on old textiles was described. The reliability of dye recognition is increased by combining various methods of identification on the chromatogram, i.e. by successively observing the following properties: the normal color, the fluorescent color in uv light, the change in shade in ammonical steam, color reaction with Al salts or, where hydroxyflavones have already been identified by the ammonia text, with FeCl₃. The dye types mentioned are hydroxyanthraquinone derivatives, hydroxyflavone derivatives, indigo, ancient purple, and hydroxynaphthoquinone derivatives. -- AATA