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."
Accelerator Technology for Cultural Heritage
Accelerator technology like X-Ray fluorescence and synchrotron radiation can analyse heritage objects and materials at nanometre scale - enabling reserachers to study what lies beneath an object's surface without damaging it. This enables more precise characterization of artefact properties such as pigments, manufacturing techniques and materials that are invisible to the naked eye.
Researchers from the NUS SSLS - an IAEA Collaborating Centre in accelerator science - have used accelerator technology to study unique pieces from the Singapore's Peranakan Museum, helping conservators preserve delicate objects that reflect the country's multicultural heritage. Such information also provides insight into how societies transported raw materials and shared manufacturing technologies in the past.
"This workshop provided a comprehensive understanding of the latest innovations and methodologies in the fascinating field of accelerator-based heritage science and to foster a rich interdisciplinary dialogue amongst all stakeholders involved in heritage science, delving into critical concepts such as risk assessment and ensuring safe analytical procedures," said Mark Breese, Director of NUS SSLS. "The outcomes of the meeting were excellent, leading to closer collaboration between conservators, scientists and other stakeholders involved in heritage science."
Sharing Resources and Expertise Across the Region
Workshop participants identified novel approaches to complement their analytical capabilities, paving the way for joint research and increased impact.
"This workshop allowed me to learn from other experts in the region about the techniques they use for better understanding objects and supporting analytical information for their preservation," said Muhayatun Santoso, Senior Nuclear Scientist at Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency. "This will help us better support museums in Indonesia."
Researchers from outside the region who shared their experience also learned from the work of some of the leading institutions in Southeast Asia. "We have encountered problems with characterizing nanoparticles in our research with ceramics, but at this event I got some ideas on how to do this better and also found institutes to collaborate with," said Ineke Joosten, a researcher at the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, who presented her work on identifying the original colours of prehistoric textiles. "We have also decided to build joint databases of research findings that could be used by the entire community interested in such research."
The workshop's outcomes will be highlighted at the 2nd IAEA International Conference on Accelerators for Research and Sustainable Development, which will be held from 22 to26 June 2026 in Vienna, Austria.
This international forum on accelerator applications in research and industry will feature presentations on cutting-edge developments and findings in accelerator technology and share best practices on how accelerator technologies can drive progress not only in science, but also in sustainability and cultural preservation.
