Joint IAEA-UFF Workshop on Radiocarbon Accelerator Mass Spectrometry for Cultural and Natural Heritage **
 

4 to 8 November 2024 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

As being the first 14C–AMS facility in Latin America, the Radiocarbon Laboratory of the Fluminense Federal University (LAC–UFF) holds a unique position to contribute to the advancement of radiocarbon research within the region. In this context, in response to an increasing demand from the Latin American radiocarbon scientists and end-users; the LAC–UFF initiated the Conferencia LatinoAmericana de Radiocarbono (CLARA). So far, two successful conferences have been held in Brazil and Mexico in 2019 and 2023, respectively. Through these events, researchers and students from Latin American institutions had the opportunity to extend their network and benefit from scientific interactions with internationally renowned researchers from the field. To further foster multi-disciplinary collaborations, engage new partners and share and transfer knowledge; the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and LAC–UFF are jointly organizing a workshop on the applications of 14C–AMS for Cultural and Natural Heritage Preservation in Latin America.

The workshop combines LAC–UFF’s commitment to foster the network of Latin American radiocarbon scientists with the IAEA’s mission to support Member States in strengthening their capabilities and utilizing nuclear analytical techniques for the preservation of cultural and natural heritage including partners also from e.g. environmental science, humanities and social sciences. The workshop also responds to regional climatic challenges, such as increased frequency and intensity of extreme events, which can impact natural and cultural heritage in the region and is aligned with UNESCO Policy on climate action for World Heritage. The workshop is organised with the involvement of IAEA’s Marine Environment Laboratories in Monaco, supporting the topics on natural heritage.

Topics:

•Fundamentals of 14C–AMS; •Latin American cultural and natural heritage; •Preservation of pre–Columbian and historical cultural heritage; •Fossil carbon input in the natural environment and sustainability; •Authentication, fraud and illegal trade detection; •Best practice of sample handling for 14C–AMS; •14C–AMS–based biogenic fraction determination methodologies; •Calibration of radiocarbon dates; uncertainties; •Modeling 14C in open systems; •Databases and open science approaches; •Best practices and ethics for 14C–AMS facilities; •Latin American radiocarbon network initiative.

The aim of this workshop is also to foster interdisciplinary interactions between stakeholders, including museum curators, archaeologists, conservation scientists, natural scientists, environmental scientists, climate scientists, social scientists, etc. as well as physicists, and chemists working at Accelerator Mass Spectrometry facilities for improved knowledge and strategies for preservation of cultural and natural heritage in Latin America.

​Target Audience: The workshop is intended both for ​early career and senior scientists, actively involved or who would benefit from incorporating 14C–AMS analyses into their research.It is expected that AMS radiocarbon dating specialists will take part together with end-users spanning the fields of earth, natural, environmental, climate, heritage, forensic and social sciences.
Applications from women are especially encouraged.

! Deadline for official nomination and abstract submission: 22 July 2024 !

GUIDE to SUBMISSION:

•Go to IAEA website and find the Workshop info:
https://nucleus.iaea.org/sites/accelerators/Pages/cultural-heritage-events.aspx

•You will find 3 Forms:

Submit Participation Form (Form A)

Abstract (Form B) COMPULSORY for all submissions!
(Connected research with the event subject)

Grant Application Form
(Form C; if​ eligible)

•Once you fill the forms, please send them to the competent national authority (e.g. Ministry of Foreing Affairs or National Atomic Energy Authority of your country.

•Brazilians should send to CNEN (Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear) directely to rosemary.silva@cnen.gov.br and nlo.brazil@cnen.gov.br the forms, the abstract and a letter from the director of your department/sector supporting your nomination.

•Please notice that:

Forms A and B should be sent together with an abstract and a letter of support from the institution where you work or study.

The abstract is mandatory for each individual application. This can be a poster presentation on the subject of the workshop. It does not need to be a paper for publication.

In case you need funding to participate, please include form C

 

The deadline is now July 22nd, but please pay attention that registrations have to be processed by each country so that nominations can get to the IAEA office with sufficient time. Registrations submitted at the last minute will not get to IAEA on time.

If you have any questions contact us: lab.lacuff.egf@id.uff.br

For additional information please check the IAEA website:
https://nucleus.iaea.org/sites/accelerators/Pages/cultural-heritage-events.aspx

Information sheet: https://nucleus.iaea.org/sites/accelerators/Accelerators%20for%20Heritage/EVT2304287%20Information%20Sheet.pdf

Venue

The workshop will be held at the Physics Institute of the Federal Fluminense University, where the LAC–UFF facilities are located. Participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of the Accelerator Mass Spectrometry radiocarbon dating technique, then various applications will be presented through case studies and hands-on exercise on sample preparation, analysis, and calibration techniques, to provide real laboratory experience to better understand the processes, will complete the workshop. The various applications will be discussed in the context of Latin American natural and cultural heritage.

Accommodations

There are some hotels nearby the Physics Institute up to 10-15 minute walk.

Hotel Orizzonte Niterói by Atlantica (☆☆☆)
https://acesse.dev/Atlantica

Hotel H Niterói (☆☆☆☆)
https://hniteroi.com.br/

Hotel Cantareira (☆☆☆)
https://hotelcantareiraniteroi.com.br/

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