Research in experimental arhcaeology, ethnoarchaeology, geoarcheology, and vertebrate taphonomy has appreciably increased our general understanding of the formation processes of archaeological sites. In synthesizing some of these recent advances, this paper focuses on the traces of artifacts and characteristics of deposits that can be used to identify the formation processes of specific deposits. 1)simple properties of artifacts. 2)complex propertties of artifacts, and 3) other properties of deposits. Also considered is the way in which prior knowledge can help the archaeologists to cope with the large number of processes and the nearly infinite combination of them that may have contributed to the specific deposits of interest. Several analytical strategies.