The Taber Child skeletal material was discovered in 1961 in southern Alberta, Canada. Previous studies, based on geology and stratigraphy, suggested that the remains were at least 25,000 years old and possibly 32,000-37,000 years old. Analysis of the organic material present in the skeletal fragments was undertaken, as a prelude to radiocarbon dating, to determine the extent to which the specimen had been contaminated by consolidants. Poly(vinyl acetate), an acrylic resin, cellulose nitrate plasticized with camphor, and protein were determined by infrared spectrophotometry. The protein concentration (protein/hydroxyapatite absorbance ratios) was found to be comparable to that of archaeological human skull bones from the Gray Site in Saskatchewan having radiocarbon ages of between 2900 and 5100 B.P. The protein content in the Taber Child was an order of magnitude higher than that in a reference collection of fossil bones from Alberta which have been estimated to be from 10,000 to 100, 000 years old. Considerations with respect to collagen depletion and interpretation of the analytical result are reviewed. Due to its speed, relatively low cost, and small sample size requirement, infrared spectrophotometry has general applicability for the analysis of bone material, in the screening of specimens prior to radiocarbon dating, in determining the relative age of material from a stratum, and in examining bones consolidated with synthetic resins.