From revealing a hidden ninth century Hindu temple in Indonesia to preserving intricate Peranakan paintings in Singapore and authenticating ancient artifacts in Malaysia , science is opening a new window into Asia and the Pacific's cultural past. At the heart of this effort is a powerful but often underused tool: accelerator-based technology.? While these advanced techniques are transforming heritage conservation across the region, many museums and heritage institutions remain unaware of their potential.?
To bridge this knowledge gap, over 30 experts in accelerator science and and cultural heritage participated in an IAEA regional workshop on the many uses of nuclear techniques for protecting and preserving cultural heritage in Singapore last month. Hosted by the Singapore Synchrotron Light Source (SSLS) at the National University of Singapore (NUS), the workshop included an outreach event for museums, where researchers presented the tangible impact of their work.?
“Conventions alone are not enough. They must be activated by science. And science, in turn, must inform public policy.” said Soohyun Kim, UNESCO Regional Director in Bangkok, highlighting how UNESCO's global frameworks—including the 1970 Convention on illicit trafficking in cultural propertyand the 1972 World Heritage Convention — work to protect cultural objects and safeguard iconic sites. An outreach session on ‘inspiring objects’ demonstrated the strengths and versatility of accelerator-based analytical techniques. “This session showcased the diversity of analytical tools and IAEA support available to museums, archaeological institutes and conservation centres,” said Tzany Kokalova-Wheldon, Director of the IAEA Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences. “Collaboration? across Asia and the Pacific, can expand access to those tools for labs without such capabilities.”
