[Aqualist] Geochronology Training Workshop, February 2009, Adelaide

[Lynley Wallis]

Apologies for cross-postings


    Geochronology dating methods and their applications in Australasian
    palaeoenvironmental and archaeological research


    An EFN training workshop for ECRs to be held in Adelaide
    2-8 February 2009

Being able to determine the absolute or relative age of sediments, 
rocks, artefacts and fossils within a given error range is critical for 
the accurate reconstruction of palaeoenvironments and understanding late 
Quaternary climate change, as well as interpreting archaeological 
sites.  Being able to classify such events on a geological time scale 
provides insights about past environmental processes that are critical 
for understanding contemporary conditions, as well as for modeling 
future conditions (e.g. climate change).

This 7 day training workshop is aimed at early career researchers (ECRs) 
in archaeology, palaeontology, quaternary sciences, environmental 
sciences and earth sciences and is being supported by the Environmental 
Futures Network <http://www.adelaide.edu.au/efn/>.  It will include four 
days of lectures by visiting specialists, one day of hands-on laboratory 
preparation of samples for radiocarbon and OSL/TL dating; and a two day 
field trip to the Naracoorte region to experience first hand techniques 
for OSL and TL sampling collection (participants can elect to attend 
only some of the different components).  Places for the lecture 
component are unlimited, however owing to logistical constraints there 
are limited places for the laboratory training day and field trip (these 
places will be filled on a first come, first in basis)

It has been specifically designed to provide ECRs and other participants 
with the chance to learn from, and network with, leading experts in a 
range of geochronology fields from around Australia and abroad.  
Participants will gain a solid understanding of the basic theory and 
methodology of a range of dating techniques (OSL, TL, ESR, U-series and 
radiocarbon) useful for establishing chronological frameworks for the 
reconstruction of palaeoenvironments and the interpretation of 
archaeological sites, as well as hear case study presentations in which 
applications of these dating techniques are discussed.

*Program (from 9 am til 5 pm each day)*

Day 1 - General introduction and housekeeping; *Radiocarbon Dating*, 
with presentations from *Dr Fiona Petchey* (Waikato Radiocarbon Dating 
Laboratory), *Dr John Tibby* (Geographical and Environmental Studies, 
University of Adelaide - yet to confirm) and *Dr Lynley Wallis* (Dept of 
Archaeology, Flinders University)

Day 2 - *OSL and TL Dating*, with presentations from *Sarah Rittner* 
(Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National University), 
*Prof Nigel Spooner* (Defence, Science and Technology Organisation) and 
*Prof John Prescott* (University of Adelaide)

Day 3  - *ESR Dating*, with presentations from *Sarah Rittner* (Research 
School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National University), *Renaud 
Joannes-Boyau*  (Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian 
National University) and *Prof Rainer Grun* (Research School of Earth 
Sciences, The Australian National University).  Please note there will 
be an informal dinner on this evening; further details will be provided 
at the workshop

Day 4 -* U-Th Dating*, with presentations from *Renaud Joannes-Boyau*  
(Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National University), 
*Dr Liz Reed* (Flinders University/ SA Dept of Environment and 
Heritage), *Dr Gavin Prideaux* (School of Biology, Flinders University) 
and *Prof Rod Wells* (School of Biology, Flinders University)

Day 5 - *Laboratory session* including a tour of the OSL/TL lab at the 
University of Adelaide with *Prof John Prescott*, and sample 
pre-treatment for OSL/TL and C14 with *Prof John Prescott,* *Sarah 
Rittner* and *Fiona Petchey*

Days 6 and 7 - *Field trip* to Naracoorte Caves area led by *Sarah 
Rittner *covering practical aspects of field sampling for OSL and ESR 
dating of sediments.

*Confirmed case study presentations*

Prof Rainer Grun - The role of ESR dating in the reconstruction of 
modern human evolution
Dr Gavin Prideaux - Dating megafaunal extinctions in southwest Western 
Australia
Prof Rod Wells - Dating dilemnas at the Rocky River megafaunal site, 
Kangaroo Island
Dr Lynley Wallis - OSL and radiocarbon sampling in archaeological sites: 
case studies from the Coorong and northwest Queensland
Dr Liz Reed - title yet to be advised

*Location*:
Days 1 - 4: Flinders University Bedford Park Campus (room to be advised);
Day 5: University of Adelaide City Campus (room to be advised):
Days 6 and 7: Field Trip to Naracoorte Caves and dunes (depart from 
Flinders University at 9 am Saturday morning, return by 7 pm Sunday evening)

*Dates:* This 7-day workshop will run from Monday 2 February until 
Sunday 8 February 2009.
*
Costs: *A small fee will be charged for the different components of this 
workshop (a discount will be offered for participants from organisations 
that are members of the Environmental Futures Network - participant 
organisations are listed on the payment form; in addition, a travel 
rebate will be available to ECRs from participant organisations who 
travel interstate to attend the workshop - more information on this 
component is available by contacting Lynley Wallis).  The fee will 
include lunch and morning/afternoon teas on lecture days, and costs 
associated with the two day field trip to Naracoorte.

Please visit 
http://ehlt.flinders.edu.au/archaeology/postgrad_programs/master_classes/ 
to submit your expression of interest in attending this workshop and/or 
to obtain a payment form (which includes a detailed overview of the fee 
structure).

Cheers Lynley

-- 
_______________________________
Dr Lynley Wallis
Senior Lecturer
Dept of Archaeology
Flinders University
GPO Box 2100
Adelaide  SA  5001
Phone: 08 8201 3520
Fax: 08 8201 2784

http://ehlt.flinders.edu.au/archaeology/department/staff/wallis.php