Thin slices of contemporary bone and shell were used to investigate the feasibility of thermoluminescence dating of these materials. Although thin slices are brittle after extraction of the organic content, their use instead of powdered samples is recommended to minimize tribothermoluminescence. The organic content must be removed to eliminate chemilumines-cence; various extraction procedures are discussed. Ethylene diamine is an effective solvent, but traces of organic material remain even after prolonged extraction. Glow curves obtained from bone and shell are presented. -- AATA