ASSEMBLAGE DATA AND BONE AND TEETH MODIFICATIONS AS AN AID TO PALEOENVIRONMENTAL INTERPRETATIONS OF THE OPEN-AIR PLEISTOCENE SITE OF TIGHENIF (ALGERIA)

Variations in the proportions of the various groups of Rodentia collec ted from eight stratigraphic levels at Tighenif had previously been in terpreted as representing environmental (climatic) changes. However, t he processes involved in the formation of assemblages are still not we ll understood. Examination of fragmentation, crystallinity, and chemic al composition of fossil bones and teeth, compared to recent samples, shows that a possible explanation for the variations in frequencies is the differential preservation of skeletal remains. Thus, the evaluati on of postmortem effects is essential in determining the accuracy of t he fossil record. The abundance and composition of remains are governe d by the complex interaction of many factors. As indicated by actualis tic studies, direct deductions from fauna lists must be avoided as muc h as possible. (C) 1994 University of Washington.