Persistent signs on surfaces: the innovative use of Visual Archaeology techniques in investigating voluntary and crafting marks

The conventional approach in archaeology for studying artifacts and architecture typically involves analyzing morphological variations and changes in the transmission of stylistic traditions. This approach generally aims at typological classification and reconstructing chronological sequences. However, within the broader scope of material studies, understanding the techniques used to produce structures and artifacts offers significant insights into ancient cultural traditions. These aspects of research allow us to closely examine human behavior and reconstruct social dynamics, including the organization of craft activities and aspects of daily life. In this sense, the digital revolution in archaeology has significantly increased the use of photogrammetry and Visual Archaeology methods for on-site documentation. Today, there is a wide range of techniques available, differing in cost, complexity, scale, and accuracy. These techniques require specific knowledge and skills to select the most appropriate analytical protocol and methods for specific situations. This special issue aims to review and compare the broad spectrum of available techniques and tools. The goal is to help in choosing the most suitable methods for documenting contexts and voluntary and crafting marks on surfaces of non-mobile items and archaeological materials.