Abstract

The use of markers in archaeological studies is crucial to obtain information about the materials recovered from archaeological sites, going beyond mere morpho-technological description. During the development of the FONDECYT 1121097 research project entitled Los Complejos Fumatorios del Periodo Alfarero Temprano en Chile semiarido y centro-sur: un estudio multidisciplinario, a need emerged to implement a set of requirements concerning the collection, removal and treatment of archaeological objects in order to safeguard the possibility of studying different markers that may lead to various types of information. Matters related to the recording and handling of archaeological artifacts directly affect the potential to analyze a sample; therefore, it is necessary to check what basic requirements are needed and what manipulation methods are the most suitable to protect this evidence. The paper explains how the use of methodologies from different disciplines oriented to respond to a common question has led to the proposal of a handling and sampling protocol.