Archaeology

Wikipedia also has an article on: wikipedia:Archaeology

"Arch" redirects here. For other uses, see Arch (disambiguation).

This article is about the Archaeology skill. For information on training Archaeology, see Archaeology training.

This article is about the Archaeology skill. For the boss, see Arch-Glacor.

This page is maintained partly in collaboration with the Archaeology Discord server. The Wiki has partnered with this server (discussion) to improve the quality of our content. You can join the Archaeology server on Discord for more help with this activity. The Wiki is not responsible for any content on collaborators' servers. For more information, see RuneScape:Discord Affiliates.

Archaeology
Release date	30 March 2020 (Update)
Members	Yes
Type	Gathering
Statistics
Minimum level to be ranked	15 (as of 6 Jun 2023)
Players with 99	158,055 (as of 6 Jun 2023)
Players with 120	72,945 (as of 6 Jun 2023)
Players with 200M XP	19,335 (as of 6 Jun 2023)
Infobox • Talk page

Archaeology level up jingle (1-49)

Archaeology level up jingle (50-120)

The logo used to tease Archaeology.

The image used to announce Archaeology.

Archaeology is a gathering skill and RuneScape's 28th skill. It has a maximum level of 120 with a normal experience curve and is available up to level 20 in free-to-play. The skill involves excavation and restoration of artefacts in seven dig sites, and features powerful player effects in the form of relic powers. Upon release, players received an extra 50 free bank spaces to accommodate for the items released with the skill.

During the six months following Archaeology's release, there was an embargo preventing the use of bonus experience, experience lamps, Wisdom aura, Wise perk, Refer a Friend, Clan Avatar, and other boosts to train it. Moreover, Archaeology's daily challenges offered 50% less experience. The embargo period ended on 19 October 2020. Originally, the embargo was planned to be ended on 30 September 2020.

There was also a six-month grace period for Archaeology related requirements for the completionist cape, trimmed completionist cape, and master quest cape. Level 99 in Archaeology was not part of the grace period; access to max cape and completionist cape was only lost until level 99 was reached. However, level 120 was part of the grace period for the completionist cape. Level 119 was required for the master quest cape at that time. This grace period ended on 30 September 2020.

Archie, a child mummy, is Archaeology's skilling pet. The skill was revealed at RuneFest 2019, where a playable demo was featured.

Archaeology featured unique global broadcasts for actions of players completing them for the first time, including the first player to solve each mystery, and the first player to solve all mysteries from each of the five dig sites.

The current minimum requirement to be ranked (at approximately rank 519,883) on the HiScores for Archaeology is level 15. As of 06 June 2023, there are 158,055 current members that have achieved level 99 in Archaeology. There are 72,945 current members that have achieved level 120 in Archaeology.

Tutorial

The Intern certificate.

Talk to Acting Guildmaster Reiniger at the eastern part of the Archaeology Campus. She will be your guide through the first steps of Archaeology. After receiving your first set of tools, you will begin by learning about excavating.

• Speak to Acting Guildmaster Reiniger which will give you your first set of tools and tell you to start excavating on the nearby hotspot.
• You will find some soil, materials and an artefact when your progress bar reaches 25/25 (this progress bar is only there for the purpose of the tutorial).
• Return to Reiniger and she will then tell you to screen your soil at the nearby screening station. This is where you get some extra materials and experience that you might have missed.
• Return to Reiniger and you'll be redirected to the archaeologist's workbench to restore your centurion's dress sword (damaged).
• Return to Reiniger.
• Show your restored centurion's dress sword to the collector near the Archaeology Guild who will reward you for your work with The Mortal Cup and 1,000 chronotes.
• Head back to Reiniger and tell her about the relic.
• Interact with the monolith.
• Activate your first relic (500 extra health).
• Head to Reiniger who is now inside the main building to the west.
• Get a free archaeological soil box from Ezreal in the same building, then talk to Reiniger again.

Tutorial completed!

Dig sites

A dig site's manager can be found at the base camp of each dig site. Each of the below dig sites have excavation hotspots, research, mysteries, rewards, and artefacts unique to that dig site ranging in level from the level a dig site is unlocked to level 120.

Senntisten Dig Site excavations are recorded as part of the Zarosian culture grouping.

Name	Manager	Level	Location	Notes	Image
Kharid-et	Dr Nabanik	5	East of Al Kharid and south of Het's Oasis	It was the site of a former ancient fortress and stronghold of Zaros' armies that fell to the ongoing onslaught of Zamorakian forces during the God Wars. Players will be able to find Zarosian weapons, religious artefacts, and scrolls of ancient knowledge.
Infernal Source	Movario	20	Entrance located underneath the Jolly Boar Inn (north-east of Varrock; south-west of the Fort Forinthry)	Thematically the dig site is located underneath the Wilderness, however players do not have to access it through the Wilderness and are thus safe from PvP. Here, players will be able to learn about Zamorak's connection with demons and how demons were brought to Gielinor by excavating Zamorakian cult relics. Players can unlock Ancient Summoning here.
Everlight	Vanescula Drakan	42	East of Meiyerditch and south of the Araxyte Hive	Access to Morytania by killing the ghoul underneath Paterdomus is required. It is a former Icyene settlement, with the lighthouse Everlight at its heart. Vanescula Drakan tasks players with extinguishing the lighthouse, and claiming the Saradominist dig site. Players will uncover items relating to Icyenic culture and will discover more about the New Dominion Games and the downfall of this set of islands.
Senntisten	Intern Jimmy	60	Entrance located north of the Archaeology Guild	A largely intact portion of the city surrounding the cathedral was discovered by Acting Guildmaster Reiniger before the Battle of the Monolith and accessed in the course of City of Senntisten. It was in close proximity to the palatial district and was described as affluent, highly gentrified and thus well protected.
Stormguard Citadel	Gee'ka	70	Overworld section of the Temple of Ikov (portal to access it)	It is a former Armadylean fortress and laboratory. The Temple of Ikov quest is not required. Players can unlock Ancient Invention at this dig site. Boots of Flight and a wingsuit are required to traverse some areas of Stormguard Citadel. Additionally, a player must have unlocked the assistant rank in order to access the dig site.
Warforge	Zanik	76	Southern Feldip Hills where Mobilising Armies used to be	It is a former Bandosian military installation for goblins, where they were trained as soldiers and warriors. Players will uncover artefacts the describe the history of the goblin tribes, including that of Bandos himself, as well as the dwarven industrial workshop deep at its core.
Orthen	Mr. Mordaut	90	Across the island of Anachronia	It is the "first city" of the Dragonkin. Players will uncover the hardships the Dragonkin encountered trying to live on Gielinor, including how their civilisation crumbled under the effects of their curse. Players can discover fragments of recipes for unique Herblore potions.

Travel

Dig Site Map

After completing the tutorial and receiving the Archaeology journal, players are given the option to travel to the Archaeology Campus by right-clicking and selecting the 'Teleport' option. Players also have a number of other options available to them.

Once at the Archaeology Campus, players can go into the house to the west where players can find a table with a map on it. Players are given the option to 'View Dig Sites Map'.

Viewing the dig sites map will open a map of Gielinor with the dig site locations shown. Selecting one of the dig sites and then confirming it, or by right-clicking a dig site and choosing 'fast travel', on the map will teleport the player to the chosen dig site.

Excavating

A player excavating

After uncovering a hotspot, players will see a popup with the level requirement and different items that can be obtained by excavating the said hotspot. You may then start working on these hotspots to obtain soil, materials and artefacts.

Mattocks

Concept art of mattocks

Main article: Mattock

To excavate in the areas above, players use a new tool called a mattock. In a similar manner to that of Mining, players can use better mattocks as they gain levels; there are smithable mattocks equivalent for each pickaxe tier. There are also augmentable mattocks obtainable through other means: dragon mattock, crystal mattock, Imcando mattock, mattock of space and time, as well as Guildmaster Tony's mattock, the game's fourth hero item.

At the time of release, unlike pickaxes, you cannot put a higher level mattock on your toolbelt than you can wield at your current level. When you do add a steel or higher mattock to your toolbelt, the previous mattock is returned to your inventory. This does not affect the initial bronze mattock as that one is obtained for free during the tutorial.

Excavation hotspots

Main article: Excavation hotspot

Excavation hotspots can be found at each of the six dig sites containing materials, damaged artefacts, soil, and occasionally other items. Each excavation requires a different Archaeology level.

Material caches

Main article: Material cache

Material caches are scattered throughout Gielinor (not just at the dig sites) and offer one material type and soil (soil is only given at caches located at dig sites). Caches are not instanced and can be interacted with by multiple players, but deplete similar to trees; the higher level the cache, the longer it will take to respawn. Certain cache locations require quests to access. For a list of caches, see material cache.

Soils

Main article: Soil

When excavating at hotspots, soil is gathered along with any materials and artefacts. Soil can then be screened at the screening station in the eastern part of the Archaeology Guild at the Varrock Dig Site or sold on the Grand Exchange. When screening soil, any material (or rarely artefacts) can be obtained that your level (when screening) allows and that come from the same dig site as the soil. The chance of obtaining a material increases with the player's Archaeology level.

Materials

Main article: Materials (Archaeology)

The material storage container's interface.

Materials are used to restore artefacts. The number of different materials the player needed to restore an artefact, as well as the number of each material, varies on each artefact. These materials can be stored in the player's material storage container. Initially, up to 25 different materials can be stored in the container. The storage can be upgraded to hold up to 40 materials depending on player's qualification. Using signs of the porter will cause gathered materials to be sent straight to the storage container.

Artefacts

Main article: Artefacts

Various damaged artefacts can be found throughout the different hotspots; inspecting these will open an interface which shows what items are required to repair them as well as the amount of experience awarded for doing so, and the artefact's value in chronotes. Each hotspot can provide two or three different types of damaged artefacts. Each time the player receives one kind of damaged artefact, they are half as likely to receive that same kind of artefact again. If a player does get the same artefact, their chance halves again. This bad luck mitigation mechanic keeps track of the player's last five earned artefacts.

Damaged artefacts can be restored at archaeologist's workbenches; this is where the bulk of experience comes from. After restoration, players can bring artefacts to the respective collector who will award the player, after each collection is completed, with various rewards. Artefacts can also be handed in to the museum donation cart, just west of the museum guard near the archaeologist's workbench at the Archaeology Campus, for 40% of the chronotes that players could get from a collector.

Some artefacts have secondary uses, for example, to unlock a researcher or continually used to access parts of the dig sites. It is recommended to check the list for their other uses before providing it to a collector or the museum donation cart.

For a list of all artefacts, see artefact.

Mysteries

Main article: Mystery

Each dig site contains mysteries which can be found and completed with 'quest-like mechanics', puzzles, and more. Through training the skill, players will unlock new areas within the dig sites by completing these mysteries.

Archaeology collections

Main article: Archaeology collections

Players can turn in repaired artefacts at collectors who give the players rewards in turn which are mostly chronotes. For all collections and collectors, see Archaeology collections.

Qualifications

Main article: Qualification

Player can obtain qualifications which give players access to more rewards within Archaeology. There are five qualifications in total that the player may achieve: Intern, Assistant, Associate, Professor, and Guildmaster. For the requirements and rewards, see qualification.

Rewards

Archaeology Guild Shop

Main article: Archaeology Guild Shop

The Archaeology Guild Shop is run by Ezreal. The rewards are split into five categories, corresponding to five Archaeology qualifications. The shop sells several Archaeology related upgrades and consumables, as well as the regular and elite skilling outfits: archaeologist's outfit and the master archaeologist's outfit, respectively.

Relics

The relic interface.

Main article: Relic

Relics are one of the core reward spaces for the Archaeology skill. They're gained while training and provide a permanent passive buff when activated. Players can have up to 3 of their unlocked relic powers active at one time. Changing relic powers cost chronotes and monolith power, and is done via the mysterious monolith or at any bank if the player owns the Archaeology skill cape. Relics are unlocked by completing collections of collectors, dig site exploration, and various NPCs. Relics are untradeable, have no upkeep cost, and are permanently active. The chronotes cost to activate a relic is always equal to 20 times the monolith power required. Monolith power has a maximum limit of 650 which is unlocked at level 120.

Chronotes

Main article: Chronotes

Chronotes are the tradeable currency of Archaeology.

Ancient Summoning

Main article: Ancient Summoning

After freeing Dagon the Gatekeeper at the Infernal Source dig site, players will be able to learn how to bind powerful demons to their will through the Summoning skill.

Ancient Invention

Main article: Ancient Invention

Concept art of new Invention tools

While training Archaeology at the Stormguard Citadel dig site players will be able to uncover the ancient technology and blueprints of Howl as an expansion for the Invention skill.

Potion recipes

As part of the Orthen Dig Site new potions were released for which players first needed to find recipe pieces which could be used to make the recipes for 5 potion recipes. This was initially known as Ancient Herblore, but the name was dropped.

Artefact weapons

Two types of weapons can be found while excavating at the Kharid-et and Warforge dig sites respectively; the inquisitor staff, a powerful tier 80 staff which is more effective against physical opponents (the magic equivalent of the hexhunter bow and terrasaur maul), and the spear of annihilation, a powerful tier 90 spear. This spear can be further upgraded into the masterwork spear of annihilation, turning it into tier 92 and giving it a special effect that enhances bleeding abilities.

Research

Main article: Research

Research is an activity within Archaeology that is similar to the player-owned port and the Anachronia base camp. Go to the Exam Centre (little south of the Archaeology Campus) and either talk to the NPC "Head of Research" or click on "research notes", which is the table immediately seen when you enter the Exam Centre.

Players can send off researchers for experience, materials, and other rewards. It costs chronotes to send off researchers. Some researchers may cost more chronotes than others. Each dig site manager is also a 'consultant' researcher; Dr Nabanik, Vanescula Drakan, Movario, Gee'ka, and Zanik.

Players can also unlock new researchers by obtaining qualifications. This is done by completing achievements within Archaeology, and also unlocks new chronote shop stock and other rewards. Unlocked researchers are always one qualification rank below the player. Players cannot unlock researchers that have the same or higher qualification rank than they have.

To hire researchers appropriate to your tier and view special research missions, visit the research page.

Research missions can be sent from the Exam Centre just south of the dig site after reaching the assistant qualification. Up to 3 students from the north side of the dig site can be recruited as interns if given certain restored artefacts.

Some researchers require certain quests or actions to unlock:

• The Dig Site
• The Golem
• Desert Treasure
• What Lies Below
• Complete the ritual for activating a totem on Anachronia

Temporary boosts

Main article: Temporary skill boost

Currently, there are six known ways to boost one's Archaeology level. Boosts can be used to excavate at excavation hotspots and material caches, as well as restore items above one's base level. Boosts will not work for research management or to access a new dig site.

• Explosions from Advanced pulse cores may randomly give a boost up to +8.
• Equipping the Ring of Whispers provides an invisible boost of +3.
• Activating a god banner's Archaeology skill boost will boost a player's level by +2 for 30 minutes, once a day.
• Drinking a cup of soil tea boosts a player's level by +2.
• Drinking an archaeology potion boosts a player's level by +3.
• Equipping the Archaeology cape boosts a player's level by +1.

Quests with an Archaeology requirement

• 40 - Daughter of Chaos
• 50 - Desperate Measures
• 58 - Azzanadra's Quest
• 74 - City of Senntisten
• 74 - Extinction

Quests for Archaeology experience

Main article: Quest experience rewards § Archaeology

Quest	Members	Experience reward	Archaeology requirement	Other requirements
Azzanadra's Quest		15,000 (lamp)	58 Archaeology	58 Agility 59 Prayer 70 Divination
Desperate Measures		20,000 (lamp)	50 Archaeology	50 Agility
Daughter of Chaos		30,000	40 Archaeology	40 Divination
City of Senntisten		50,000	74 Archaeology	75 Slayer 74 Magic
Total		115,000

Achievements

Main article: Archaeology achievements

Archaeology has an achievements subcategory that is part of the Skills category. In addition to a variety of achievements categorised directly under archaeology, the subcategory itself has seven subsubcategories, one devoted to each of the six dig sites and a seventh devoted to collections:

• Armadylean achievements
• Bandosian achievements
• Collections achievements
• Dragonkin achievements
• Saradominist achievements
• Zamorakian achievements
• Zarosian achievements

Pre-release

Main article: Archaeology/Pre-release

The release of Archaeology was preceded by numerous in-game events, documented in this page.

Development history

In January 2018, Mod Timbo was tasked by Mod Osborne and the rest of the RuneScape Leadership Team to come up with a new skill, to be launched in the summer of 2019. They ended up with a shortlist of six skills which were Archaeology, Sailing, Spellcrafting, Animal Training, Merchanting and Necromancy.

Archaeology was first announced at RuneFest 2019, with a playable demo exhibited. The planned release date was January 2020, later clarified by Mod Rowley to be the last Monday of January. However, the launch date of the skill was postponed in December 2019 to allow for extra development time. On 25 February 2020 it was confirmed that the final release date of the skill is 30 March. Starting from 25 February numerous teasers for the skill appeared in-game.

Gallery

• Archaeology splash art animation

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  Varrock Dig Site

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  Kharid-et

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  Infernal Source

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  Everlight

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  Stormguard Citadel

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  Warforge!

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  Orthen

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  Concept art of the Archaeology Skill Cape and logo.

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  Many of the items created for Archaeology, including unreleased equipment; such as: Pontifex, Praetorian, Legatus, Venator, and Icyene armour. As well as artefacts such as the 'Demon Cook Book' and various Everlight tools and weaponry.

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Update history

This information has been compiled as part of the update history project. Some updates may not be included—see here for how to help out!

• patch 25 July 2022 (Update):
  • Invention and Archaeology are now correctly restored after fights with certain stats-reducing bosses in the Dominion Tower.

• ninja 18 July 2022 (Update):
  • World map icon tooltips for Archaeology excavation sites are now split over two columns if there are more than three artefacts or materials, so that they better fit a mobile aspect ratio.

• update 27 September 2021 (Update):
  • The XP curve for lamps and stars now scales to 120 for Archaeology, Dungeoneering, Slayer, Farming, Herblore, and Invention.

• ninja 13 September 2021 (Update):
  • Changed the Grand Exchange buy limit for chronotes from 20,000 to 50,000.

• patch 6 September 2021 (Update):
  • Fixed an issue where the Archaeology UI tutorial referring to materials in the artefact restoration overlay wasn't attached to this overlay, and therefore appeared out of bounds on Mobile.

• patch 31 August 2021 (Update):
  • Players can no longer excavate more Ancient glass shards than are necessary to fully repair Senntisten Cathedral's windows.
  • Uncovering mysteries no longer sends multiple chat messages.
  • The Ancient Statue now has a chat head animation.
  • Fixed a typo in Eblis' dialogue.

• patch 23 August 2021 (Update):
  • Beautiful stained-glass windows now appear in Senntisten's cathedral.

• hotfix 23 August 2021 (Update):
  • Clicking outside the interface no longer prevents players from unlocking the special research: Complete the Pattern, Solve the Puzzle.

• patch 9 August 2021 (Update):
  • Archaeology tutorial
    • The Archaeology Path will now progress as expected.
    • The 'Breaking the Seal' Archaeology mystery achievement is now free-to-play.
      • Removed the Assistant, Associate, Professor and Guildmaster qualification achievements from the Archaeology Path.
      • The path now completes upon breaking the seal and entering Kharid-et.
    • The Qualification - Intern hint trail now leads to Acting Guildmaster Reiniger instead of the entrance to the Archaeology Guild.
    • The Archaeology Path hint trail is now suppressed when following the Archaeology tutorial, which has its own trail.

• patch 17 May 2021 (Update):
  • Using soils from the Archaeology skill on one another no longer opens a Herblore UI.

• patch 18 January 2021 (Update):
  • You can now disable the Archaeology skill on both cinder and pulse cores.
  • You can no longer attempt to change the Cosmetic prismatic pendant to the Archaeology style. Trying to do so will now send a message explaining that no such pendant exists.
  • The textbox that appears to inform you of the inspect function on artefacts will no longer remain indefinitely.

• patch 14 December 2020 (Update):
  • Archaeology restoration tasks in Yak Tracks have been replaced with a generic 'Gain Archaeology XP' task.

• patch 9 November 2020 (Update):
  • The Lorehound pet now provides an increased chance to find lore pages while excavating.

• patch 2 November 2020 (Update):
  • God Banners can now boost your Archaeology level.

• patch 26 October 2020 (Update):
  • An issue with Archaeology XP from Guthixian butterflies and Tears of Guthix has been resolved.

• update 19 October 2020 (Update):
  • Orthen Dig Site added to game.
    • Numerous new excavation sites, materials, and artefacts added to game.
  • 3 New relics added to game.
  • New collector and collections added.
  • Mr Mordaut made the site manager for Orthen.

• patch 22 June 2020 (Update):
  • Players can now swap Inquisitor staff pieces with Soran for 10 million coins each. Use the piece you wish to trade on Soran to begin the exchange.
  • To help reduce misclicks on mobile, a Makeshift Pie Oven archaeology excavation in the Warforge has been moved away from the furnaces in the area.
  • Fixed an issue that allowed the spear of annihilation to be donated to the Museum donation bin, if the player hadn't used it.
  • The special move of the Kal'gerion demon now lasts 15 seconds, up from 9.6 second.
  • The slayer introspection relic power will now correctly work with the slayer master cape as well as slayer masks.
  • Players who have destroyed or lost a charged shadow engrammeter can now reclaim one that is already charged (from Dr Nabanik at Kharid-et), though will need to destroy any depleted shadow engrammeters they may have previously reclaimed.

• patch 26 May 2020 (Update):
  • Material caches with quest requirements have had these requirements clarified in the Archaeology skill guide.
  • Fixed an incorrect message that displayed when withdrawing from Archaeology Material Storage with a full Inventory.
  • Removed the 'Check findings' option from the Archaeology research table as the 'Manage research notes' option rendered it redundant.
  • The Fortune perk will now prioritise sending Archaeology materials to the material storage over the bank.
  • A wandering NPC took a wrong turn at Lumbridge market and found himself at Stormguard Citadel. He has been "dealt with".

• patch 11 May 2020 (Update):
  • Fixed an issue where Archaeology skill guide information was populating other skill guides.

• patch 4 May 2020 (Update):
  • Textures on the Spear of Annihilation and Masterwork Spear of Annihilation have been improved.
  • The 'Ruthless' Invention perk now appears with the correct icon on the Buff Bar.
  • Fixed some instances of material caches clipping into the floor at Kharid-et and the Infernal Source.
  • Players will now be placed into the same instance in the Warforge! forge area after completing the 'Into the Forge' mystery.
  • It is now possible to contribute a single item to a collection via a menu option on the item inside the Collectors interface.
  • Players can now discover pylon batteries while excavating in the Kharid-et prison block.
  • The Spear of Annihilation and Masterwork Spear of Annihilation are now treated as Bandos items in the God Wars Dungeon.
  • The forge doors inside Warforge! will now list the keys you are missing to open it, as long as you've found at least one already.
  • Fixed minor clipping issues in the Infernal Source.
  • Bad luck mitigation for artefacts has been increased. It will now take the players last five received artefacts into account when awarding a new one.
  • A missing cadmium red material cache has been returned to its rightful place in Star Lodge cellar.
  • Fixed an issue that was allowing players to see through quintessence material caches.
  • An additional perk has been added to the Archaeology skillcapes. Whilst worn, the player receives an additional 1% sprite focus when excavating at a spot with a time sprite.
  • Fixed an issue that was causing empty charge pack messages to appear whilst excavating without an augmented item.
  • Fixed an issue where certain islands in the Infernal Source were being removed if you had the Remove Roofs setting set to selective.
  • Flowing lava in the Infernal Source will no longer disappear when you stand close to it.
  • Fixed an issue at the Infernal Source where a lava faucet was not being removed when the camera was moved inside it.
  • The Master archaeologist's outfit will now grant access to the 'Fixate' ability.
    • Fixate can be activated on Archaeology excavations to guarantee the type of artefact that will be gathered from that spot.
    • Fixate can be activated 3 times per day.
  • A researcher that was causing misclicks by standing too close to the Archaeology research table has been moved south.
  • Added a confirmation message when leaving the Praetorium in Kharid-et to help prevent players accidentally leaving the area.
  • Chronotes can now be added to, and used from, the currency pouch.

• patch 27 April 2020 (Update):
  • Changes
    • Multiple changes have been made to the ripper demon ancient familiar:
      • Special attack has been reduced to 1 hit.
      • Damage from special attack has changed to 200%-320% of the base attack.
      • Attack speed has been reduced slightly.
      • The passive effect on the player has been halved.
    • Material caches will now appear as depleted inside quest instances.
    • The 'Survey' option on the Warforge! barricade no longer incorrectly states it can give artefacts.
    • The 'Inspect' option on tetracompass pieces will no longer interrupt excavation.
    • Some pathing in Warforge! has been adjusted slightly when attempting to run to a lower level whilst standing near the forge.
    • Updated the information about Archaeology tools on the Tool Belt interface.
    • The message from all item-producing familiars (including the new waterfiend) now states which item they produced.
    • Glitterbombs can no longer award players Bonus XP in Archaeology.
    • Seth Minas has remembered what he was going to say about the Digsite Quest before you've started it: nothing, it turns out.
    • The Tetrarch Journal pages have been renamed to correctly reflect their author.
    • Players are no longer able to disassemble or alchemise the Auto-screener v1.080.
    • A 'Retrieve all' option has been added to the Archaeology skilling outfit and elite skilling outfit when reclaiming them from Diango.
    • Samid Gloves will now work correctly when training Archaeology.
    • Drakan's Medallion will no longer lose charges if teleporting from within Everlight.
    • Tweaked the look for ancient gizmos so they are easier to tell apart from standard gizmos.
    • Archaeology Material Storage now has a 'Configure' option where you can change the left click option.
    • Corrected a Zarosian insignia material cache in Kharid-et that was floating.
    • Some clipping debris in Howl's workshop has been moved.
    • A floating pillar in Stormguard Citadel has been grounded again.
    • Removed a plant that was clipping with a rock at Stormguard Citadel.
    • Removed some floating geometry from the Everlight and Warforge! dig sites.
    • The Yu'biusk clay and vulcanised rubber material caches near the Warforge! are now considered part of the dig site and will award players earthen clay while excavating at them.
    • Dig site imagery has been updated on the World Map tool-tips as well as their respective Archaeology Research.
    • A landmass inside Infernal Source has been adjusted to only disappear when the camera is moved into it.
    • A gap in a floorboard in Stormguard Citadel has been fixed.
    • Added some blocking to a cage and some barrels at the Warforge! dig site.
    • A floating bibliotheke debris excavation point has been lowered.
    • Added some missing textures in Stormguard Citadel.
    • The Archaeology Journal has been updated with painted pictures of artefacts.
    • Inquisitor Staff pieces, Annihilation Spear tips, and dragon mattocks will now all fire friends and clan broadcast messages.
    • Your adventurer's log will highlight the first time you find a dragon mattock.
    • The Hobgoblin Mansticker requirement for Velucia's Bandosian II collection has been swapped with the Dorgeshuun Spear from Velucia's Bandosian III collection.
    • A Settings category has been added for Archaeology. It can be found under the Skills heading.
  • Bugfixes
    • Fixed some clipping issues at Stormguard Citadel.
    • Fixed some material z-fighting issues at Stormguard Citadel
    • Fixed multiple texture Z-fighting issues on Stormguard Citadel
    • Fixed an issue that was causing the blood reaver familiar to take damage from players when stacking multiple instances of healing.
    • Fixed an issue with Velucia's Bandosian collections displaying in the wrong order.
    • Fixed a minor lighting issue with the stadio debris excavation spot.
    • Fixed several minor typos.
    • Fixed a light in Kharid-et that was causing material caches to appear as two separate colours.
    • Some clipping with excavation spots has been fixed in the Star Lodge cellar.

• hotfix 27 April 2020 (Update):
  • Tweaked the drop rates of the Inquisitor Staff pieces and the Spear of Annihilation tip.

• patch 20 April 2020 (Update):
  • The hint-trail for the Archaeology research tutorial appears more consistently.
  • Players can now enter the Kharid-et praetorium without a Ring of Visibility.
  • The Imp Souled perk now sends appropriate resources to the metal bank and the material storage.
  • Both the pontifex signet ring and the legatus pendant can be added to the tool belt.
  • The Resourceful aura now works with Archaeology.
  • The Fortune Ancient Invention perk has an increased chance to activate on level 20 augmented items.
  • The 'Everlight' music track can be unlocked by entering the base of the lighthouse.
  • Acquiring Inquisitor staff pieces, Spear of Annihilation tips and dragon mattocks now generates Friends and Clan broadcast messages.
  • Finding a dragon mattock is an entry in your Adventurer's Log.
  • The contents of your material storage are viewable from the Archaeology journal via the 'Information' option.
  • Tetracompass pieces now use the artefact 'Inspect' option displaying the requirements to make a complete tetracompass.
  • Excavating a tetracompass reward uses the usual blue Archaeology excavation bar.
  • It is now possible to surge and bladed dive in the forge area inside the Warforge dig site.
  • The Ironman plaque in Edgeville has been updated with the names of the first Ironman and Hardcore Ironman to reach 99 Archaeology. Congratulations!
  • Moved a bibliotheke debris excavation spot allows the time sprite in this area to be more easily followed.
  • Archaeology microsites now have a minimum of 3 material caches of each type available at that site.
  • Archaeology dig sites will now have a minimum of 2 material caches of each material specific to that site.
  • The Augmented Masterwork Spear of Annihilation no longer loses its masterwork upgrade when players die in the Wilderness or when using an augmentation dissolver.
  • Added an option to deactivate the auto-screener v1.080.

• patch 14 April 2020 (Update):
  • Improvements
    • The Site Map at the Archaeology Guild now informs the players about the site keyboard shortcuts.
    • Dueling a player that is using a Blood Reaver familiar will no longer continuously loop the duel setup and heal the user's lifepoints.
    • A chest inside the Exam Centre can once again be used to advance a medium clue scroll.
    • Artefact collector info will now close when inspecting a new artefact.
    • The chance of receiving an Imcando Mattock piece now increases in line with your Archaeology level.
    • Changed 'restoration station' to 'archaeologist's workbench; in the Restoration make-x menu to be more accurate to the game world.
    • The Seed of the Charyou Tree and Hand of Glory (Luck of the Dwarves) relics have had their levels in the skill guide corrected from 89 to 83.
    • Guildmaster Tony's Mattock has had it's precision stat reduced from 90 to 85 because the precision increase was providing too many additional projects over a period of time.
    • If you have the Berserker's Fury relic power active while wearing a full Dharok's set, the Dharok's set effect will be applied instead of the relic power.
    • The message that displays once you reach 100% sprite focus has been updated slightly.
    • Some luck messaging has been adjusted in cases where a ring has been swapped as you're getting a lucky drop.
    • It is now possible to siphon the crystal mattock using a crystal tool siphon.
    • A popup box will now appear if you attempt to excavate with a full inventory.
    • The Nosorog! sculpture artefact has been changed to require 30 warforged bronze rather than 30 soapstone.
    • Players are no longer stopped from excavating after using Space Bar to advance the chatbox that appears upon finding an artefact.
    • Fixed a graphical issue where material caches of animal furs would appear to float.
    • The Stormguard Citadel dig site manager will no longer endlessly loop dialog if only one mystery has been started.
    • Players are now properly informed when they add a researcher to their research team.
    • Players are now better informed about the rewards from rolling the Infernal Dice.
    • The Archaeology Guild Shop descriptions for the Material Manual and the Archaeology teleports have been updated to give more information on their uses.
    • The 'Destroy' option on Archaeology lore pages has been changed to 'Transcribe' to better indicate its function.
    • The Adventurer's Log will no longer state that the Statue of Dahmaroc has been completed when handing in an Archaeology collection.
    • A warforged bronze material cache has been moved slightly so that it doesn't appear to stick out the top of a tower.
    • The Archaeology Master Skillcape can now be placed on the skillcape stand in the Anachronia Base Camp.
  • Fixes
    • Fixed an issue with General Bentnoze's 'Red Rum Relics II' collection not appearing in level order.
    • Fixed the images for historic and classic components in the skillguide and discovery workbench.
    • Fixed a gap in a wall inside the Exam Centre.

• patch 6 April 2020 (Update):
  • Inspecting a damaged or restored artefact and filling or inspecting a soil box will no longer interrupt your current action, allowing you to continue excavating uninterrupted.
  • Players may now use either a Harlequin cow, or one each of a Vanilla, Strawberry and Chocolate cow during the relevant Archaeology mystery.
  • A tick has been added to Artefact information to show if you have previously completed any associated collections.
  • The chance of receiving an artefact from research has been increased.
  • Dr Nabanik's 'Third-age Expert' researcher perk has been modified to guarantee an artefact after researching 2 hours or more, down from 8 hours or more.
  • We have adjusted the text associated with the consumable items found in the Archaeology Guild shop so that both their Item and Buff Bar descriptions are consistent.
  • The Dwarven Instinct aura will now spawn magical chests after you've earned XP in Archaeology.
  • An Armadylean yellow material cache at Stormguard Citadel has been moved slightly to make it more accessible.
  • Corrected a typo where the collector Isaura was mispronouncing her own name. We've all been there, Isaura.
  • Different styles of REDACTED can now be used for the Capricorn portion of the Contract Claws mystery.
  • Fixed a texture Z-fighting issue on Stormguard Citadel.
  • Fixed an issue with some missing geometry in Stormguard Citadel.
  • Fixed an issue where some research was not being unlocked.

• hotfix 6 April 2020 (Update):
  • Fixed an issue that allowed players to gain a pulse core level boost in Archaeology from the Desert Pantheon aura. This has now been locked behind the skill amnesty period.
  • Fixed an issue that allowed the waterfiend familiar to be summoned for a longer duration than intended.
  • Fixed an issue that prevented some players from completing the Contract Claws mystery if they had already completed the Dagon Bye mystery. Players will now be better informed about their Contract Claws mystery progress when speaking to Movario.
  • Complete tomes can no longer be stored in the Bank.
  • Running out of skillchompas as you reach max focus when excavating will no longer crash the player.
  • A bookshelf on the Archaeology Guild Campus that was used to start the Elemental Workshop II quest had been lost during renovations. This has been replaced, so it is now possible to start the quest.
  • Chests in the Infernal Source cellar can no longer be looted with a full inventory.
  • Using the Font of Life from your inventory will now correctly progress the Archaeology tutorial.

• patch 30 March 2020 (Update):
  • Changed the 'Excavate' option on several objects not connected to Archaeology in order to reduce confusion. Similar changes have been made to Quest Logs and other instructions.
  • Added a 'The Dig Site' quest icon to all related NPCs, Locations and Objects.
  • Various changes to the Make-x interface:
    • Reduced the size of the icons on the right-hand panel
    • Reduced the size of the text in the 'Values' section
    • When selecting a different category, it will no longer show information for an object that hasn't been selected or unlocked
  • The clickable/tappable region on the 'Share' options in the Collection Log interface has been increased to cover the entire button.
  • Removed the cutscene that plays when entering and exiting the Halls of Camdozaal on Ice Mountain.
  • Made numerous improvements to the Collection Log interface:
    • Added a 'Reward' info section to each Log
    • Increased the click/tap area on the Favourite and Options buttons
    • Changed the ambiance on the item backgrounds so obtained items are more identifiable
  • Added seven Bank chests to the overworld in all five dig site camps, the Exam Centre and the Archaeology Guild Campus.
  • Added 50 new Bank spaces. (To accommodate for new Archaeology items)
  • Added a 'Bank deposit' map icon to all Bank deposit locations.
  • Added tooltips to items in the Skill Guide.
  • Upon levelling up, the Skill Guide will display all the information about each new entry.
  • Removed the Gatherer's Cape from players and returned all shards, as the cape now has an Archaeology requirement.
  • Graphically updated Movario.
  • Renamed 'ancient components' to 'third-age components'.
  • Max is now using the 'Jack of Trades' title as he does not own the Archaeology skill pet.
  • Changed the text in the Skills interface to say 'View Skill Guide' rather than just 'View'.
  • Lowered the brightness of the sun over near the Desert Strykewyrms east of Al Kharid.

• update 30 March 2020 (Update):
  • Archaeology skill added to game.
  • It's the moment you've been waiting for: Archaeology is here, and it's ready to play right now! But before you grab your mattock and set off to lands unknown, we've got some important information for shovelbums everywhere…
  • Shall we begin?
  • Archaeology
    • To get started with Archaeology, you'll need to make your way to the Archaeology Guild for some on-the-spot training. After that, you can roll out to Kharid-et, where Dr. Nabanik has an important task for you.
    • You'll need a significant amount of archaeological acumen to fully explore all five dig sites, so don't worry about moving on to the next big dig – you'll be back later, armed with new knowledge, to uncover even more treasure.
    • Here are some of the unlocks you can look forward to at each level:
      • 5 Dig Site: Kharid-et
      • 20 Dig Site: Infernal Source
      • 42 Dig Site: Everlight
      • 68 Ancient Summoning Binding Contracts.
        • Mystery Requirement: Dagon Bye
      • 70 Dig Site: Stormguard Citadel
      • 76 Dig Site: Warforge!
      • 95 Ancient Invention Blueprints
        • Mystery Requirement: Howl's Floating Workshop
      • 99 Skill Mastery
      • 120 True Skill Mastery
    • It goes without saying that at every level you'll unlock new artefacts, new relics, and new things to do – but there'll be no spoilers in this newspost, thank you very much!
    • That said we have compiled a list of everything we've uncovered so far, which you can check out here.
  • Archaeology 101
    • The core loop of Archaeology is deceptively simple: you'll use your mattock to excavate artefacts, soil, and materials. Then, you'll restore your artefacts using the materials you've gathered, or sift through the soil for more materials to use.
    • After that, it's up to you! You can sell your lovingly-repaired artefacts to private collectors, donate them to the Varrock Museum, keep them for yourself, or even break them down into Invention components - old and new!
  • Amnesty Period
    • For cape hunters, Archaeology will have a grace period for six months after release. This is what that means in terms of game mechanics:
  • Capes
    • Upon logging in on March 30th, you will lose:
      • Max Cape
      • Completionist Cape
      • Trimmed Completionist Cape
      • Gatherer's Cape
    • If you achieve 99 Archaeology during the six-month grace period, you will get your Completionist and Trimmed Capes back, as well as the Max Cape for reaching 99. If you don't complete this requirement by the end of the grace period, you will have to reach 120 Archaeology to get your Completionist and Trimmed Capes.
    • Archaeology is jam-packed with new Achievements, and some of them are required to get your Completionist Cape - so keep an eye out, and start checking them off your list now!
    • You will not lose the Master Quest Cape on login, but you will after 6 months if you don't meet the requirements.
  • Boosts
    • To make the race for 99 and 120 Archaeology fair for everyone, some boosts will be disabled during the grace period:
      • Boosts that work:
        • Skillchompas
        • Archaeology skilling outfit (Normal, not Elite. Available through gameplay only).
        • Archaeology Elite Skilling Outfit (available through gameplay only)
        • Invention tool perks (not Wise, but the others like Honed/Furnace/New perk)
      • Boosts that don't work:
        • Wisdom Aura and Wise perk
        • Refer a friend bonus
        • Clan avatar bonus
        • Experience lamps
        • Bonus XP
        • Incense sticks
        • Pulse cores and cinder cores
        • Other XP boosting items
  • A Note on Account-Sharing
    • We're aware the race to the top of the HiScores will be intense, and we want to ensure it is as fair as possible. As such, we will be taking action against any players who are account sharing in order to gain an unfair advantage in the rankings.
    • Thanks for your cooperation, and here's to a fair fight!

Trivia

• Archaeology was the first unreleased skill to be playable in a public demo at RuneFest.
• There was a bug which occurred within the first three days of release. Players could use the desert pantheon aura pulse core boost or other pulse core boosts to raise the Archaeology skill level up by 7 levels and excavate in areas they otherwise would not have been able to access. The bug was hotfixed within an hour of making it public.
• On release it was much harder to obtain Imcando metal piece materials. An update on 6 April 2020 increased the chance of obtaining pieces for every level gained.
• There is another item added to the Mod Ryan trading sequence as part of Archaeology.
• The player le me was the first player to reach level 99 on 4 April 2020, which was shown in-game with the announcement: News: le me has just achieved at least level 99 in all skills!
• The player Aj was the first ironman to reach level 99 on 6 April 2020, which was shown in-game with the announcement: News: Aj is the first Ironman to reach level 99 Archaeology!
• The player Voidscape was the first hardcore ironman to reach level 99 on 8 April 2020, which was shown in-game with the announcement: News: Voidscape is the first Hardcore Ironman to reach level 99 Archaeology!
• The player le me was the first player to reach level 120 on 10 April 2020, which was shown in-game with the announcement: News: le me has just achieved 120 Archaeology!
• The player le me was the first player to reach 200 million XP on 14 April 2020, which was shown in-game with the announcement: News: le me has achieved 200 million XP in Archaeology!
• The player Gecu was the first ironman to reach level 120 on 19 April 2020, which was shown in-game with the announcement: News: Gecu is the first Ironman to wear a Archaeology master cape!
• The player devlar was the first hardcore ironman to reach level 120 on 24 April 2020, which was shown in-game with the announcement: News: devlar is the first Hardcore Ironman to wear a Archaeology master cape!

See also

• Archaeology/Level up table