The basic principles of thermoluminescence (TL) dating of pottery by means of zircon grains are outlined. Details are given of methods used for mineral separation, TL measure-ments, alpha-irradiation of grains for calibration and determination of U and Th concentrations in the grains. The perturbing effect of zoning in the grains is discussed. Results of a test program on potsherds of known archaeological age are presented and discussed. The importance of the zircon-grain technique for the detection of forgeries is stressed. -- AATA