Differential thermal analysis (DTA) is a routine method in industrial laboratories for the characterization of organic and inorganic materials. It is also used for studies of the ageing properties of materials, especially of synthetic polymers. In 1976 the Doerner-Institut started a research project on the possibilities of this method in the field of archaeometry. The materials included in this study are painting materials, waxes, resins, adhesives, organic conservation materials and others. As a result of the first year it can be said that DTA is a practicable method for archaeometric research.