An automatic reader was designed with special regard to thermoluminescent dating and with a view to establishing a dating service on a routine basis. The reader is a microprocessor-controlled sample changer that can accommodate 24 samples held in small platinum cups. An accurate linear heating up to 500°C is accomplished by comparison with a ramp generator. As part of the heating cycle, samples can be preheated at a preset temperature for a preset time ranging from 1 second to 15 minutes; this greatly facilitates the separation of glow peaks. The reader system incorporates a ⁹⁰Sr beta-irradiation facility used for calibrations and for normalization of the samples. The microprocessor that controls all mechanical functions and movements is programmed to provide the results needed to construct the primary and secondary response curves required for determination of the archaeological dose of quartz and feldspar grains extracted from pottery. The performance of the apparatus was tested in a preliminary dating program based on the quartz-inclusion technique. -- AATA