We use molecular-dynamics simulation to study the migration of an individua
l atom on the surface (010) of a (12-6) Lennard-Jones bcc crystal. Although
the Lennard-Jones potential does not describe quantitatively all crystalli
ne features, it can give us several clues on its thermodynamical behavior.
We calculate the displacement self-correlation function and the residence t
ime for a particle deposited on the crystal surface. We show that an anomal
y occurs on these quantities which can be a signature of a premelting proce
ss.