The goals of the Upper Colca Archaeological Survey were to document the prehispanic use of the Chivay obsidian source and to record changes in obsidian processing evident at the source. Quarry research presents special challenges to archaeologists because prehistoric patterns are obscured by the sheer quantity of non-diagnostic materials from early reduction stages, and the compounded reuse of space over time (Ericson 1984;Torrence 1986). Working at the Chivay obsidian source involved additional challenges in its remote location at high altitude where roads and electrical sources were unavailable. The research design therefore had to maximize the time spent camping at the high altitude source using field methods that could be used effectively to detect variability in obsidian production at the source.

Very few archaeologists had visited the source area prior to this work, and therefore the research team had to accomplish basic documentation of the source area. However, detecting change in obsidian production required a relatively in-depth investigation, such as analyzing lithic production loci and excavating test units to acquire temporal control. Preliminary visits in 2001 and 2002 indicated that the rugged, high altitude terrain around the Chivay source precluded a systematic and extensive survey of contiguous lands near the source. While total coverage surveys are preferable in theory, it simply was not worthwhile to survey many square kilometers of jumbled rhyolite boulders and skree fields, terrain that were barely passable on foot, when the vast majority of all the locations for sizable sites could be targeted by the general criteria evident on maps and imagery. Furthermore, a comprehensive study of activities related to the source area demanded that time was budgeted for an investigation of the highly productive lands approximately one day's travel away from the obsidian source, in order to place obsidian procurement in the context of the local economy. A research strategy that approached the entire region in terms of survey and testing in three major contiguous blocks was deemed the most effective approach to documenting the source region.