Discussion is restricted to faunal remains recovered from archaeological sites but could also be applicable to botanical remains. The techniques commonly used in the analysis of subsistence practices often lead to weak or questionable conclusions. This is largely a function of the fact that, potentially, numerous taphonomic histories can result in similar or comparable fossil assemblages. This is of paramount importance because the subsistence questions being asked of the data often involve reconstructing part or all of the taphonomic history of the fossils under scrutiny; many of the regularly used analytic techniques do not allow for the taphonomic history of particular fossil assemblages. The theory behind and the analytic techniques used in studies of prehistoric subsistence practices are presented. See also AATA 19-1120. -- AATA