This article synthesizes the sociocultural and economy processes of archaic coastal and Andean societies that occupied the circumpuna and the Western Valleys regions, within the South Central Andes. We emphases on the late archaic events, the evidence of inter regional interaction, and the development of high complex responses that would have marked the transition toward formative neolithization. The role of local societies and their different modes of life associated with the early formative changes between 3.500 and 2,400 years BP are revised through the following modes: (a) maritime-desertic Circumpuneno mode spread between Taltal and Loa; (b) hunter-horticulturalist-pastoralist Circumpuneno mode identified between El Loa and Atacama basins; (c) maritime-agro forestry mode located in the inner Western Valleys between El Loa and Camina rivers (Tarapaca zone); and (d) agro maritime of coastal Western Valleys mode located between the Camarones and Lluta rivers. The Early Formative phases: Tilocalar, Caserones and Azapa are assessed in relation to previous archaic achievements and the decisive interactions with the desert and fertile coast of the north of Chile.