Rare earth element geochemistry and taphonomy of terrestrial vertebrate assemblages

Most taphonomic analyses of vertebrate remains have focused : upon physical processes. Chemical processes only rarely: are addressed, leaving a large untapped store of quantitative taphonomic information contained within the: bones themselves. In this paper, the rare earth element (REE) signature of fossil bones in te rrestrial deposits is shown to be controlled by the early diagenetic enviro nment. Thus, bones fossilized in different early diagenetic environments ma y be separated by their distinct REE signatures. Furthermore, the variation of REE patterns developed in individual bones within an assemblage is cont rolled by sedimentologic and taphonomic processes. Hence, the degree of mix ing and reworking (relative time and space averaging) of vertebrate element s within: a particular assemblage may be determined from the REE patterns o f the interred bones. REE geochemistry represents a new and powerful taphon omic tool.