Of all the methods available to the anthropologist/archaeologist for dating bone material, electron spin resonance (ESR) has the potential of being the most suitable method for dating Holocene and Pleistocene bone material. A brief review of the history, the basic principles and the advantages/disadvantage of ESR are given. Experimental results of the application of ESR to Holocene bone are discussed along with suggestions for future research, including the need to standardize sample preparation (i.e., piece versus powder), use of heat treatment after irradiation for the equilibration of the unstable charge, dose rate of the artificial radiation, and the choice of instrumental parameters. The authors believe the successful development of ESR for dating archaeological material is well underway. -- AATA