Regarding the technological and epistemological problems raised by the necessity for Archaeology to record the precise shape of the objects of its study, the OSIRIS (Optical Systems for Interferometric Relief Investigation and Scanning) project aimed to develop a device that allows, by optoelectronic processes, an accurate, quick and easy to use recording, dedicated to the specific and very demanding needs of archaeological research. The article explains how this new innovative device takes advantage of monochromatic light projection, polarization states splitting technique and interferometry principles to reach that goal. Some examples of its application to archaeological recording problems are also given.