Table of Contents



Getting Started

As with any skill, there are several basics which are needed to understand what you will be doing. With Archaeology, these can be summed up as Excavating, Screening, and Repairing. The coming sections will tell you more about these features of the skill.


Tutorial

In order to be able to train the Archaeology skill, you will first need to complete the tutorial. This can be done in a handful of steps as seen below. Make sure you have at least 17 empty spaces before you begin.

  1. Speak to Acting Guildmaster Reiniger at the Archaeology Campus East of Varrock. She will give you Archaeologist’s tools and a Bronze mattock then instruct you on how to begin excavating.
  2. Walk North of her and click on the "Senntisten soil" hotspot. Here you will obtain soil, materials, and an artefact once your bar reaches 25/25. Once you have these items, return to Reiniger and she will instruct you to screen the Senntisten soil.
  3. Walk West of her to the screening pit and click any one of the screening stations. Which one you choose does not matter. Screening the soil will provide you with materials that were missed during your excavation. When you have screened all of your soil, return to Reiginier.
  4. With your materials and artefact she will tell you to go to the Archaeologist’s workbench to restore the Centurion's dress sword (damaged). The workbench can be found North West of the sifters, directly North of the monolith. On the Eastern side of the bench is a Material storage container where you can store materials used to repair artefacts. With your fully restored Centurion's dress sword, you can return to Reiniger and show her or head directly to the collector, Velucia, in front of the Archaeology Guild.
  5. Velucia will trade you the Centurion's dress sword for a Relic. When you have completed the exchange, return to Reiniger and you will tell her about how it is drawing you toward the monolith. She will instruct you to go to the monolith, but to be careful.
  6. Walk West to the monolith and interact with it. A cutscene will occur and in the end Reiniger will remark how you were not pulled in. The Relic/Monolith interface will open and you will charge the Font of Life relic to make it active. Reiginer will speak with you briefly before instructing you to meet her in the Guild.
  7. Walk into the building to the West and you will find her at the desk near the entrance. She will give you a very brief tour of the lower floor before instructing you to grab an Archaeological soil box from Ezreal.
  8. Ezreal can be found in the North West corner of the guild hall. When you have obtained the Archaeological soil box, return to Reiginer and she will give you an Archaeology journal before awarding you with the Intern qualification and suggesting you check out the Kharid-et Dig Site.

Congratulations, Tutorial complete! And now you are an Intern.



Excavating

The main activity for Archaeology is Excavation. During this process you can obtain one of six soil types, depending upon what type of hotspot you are investigating, materials to repair artefacts, and damaged artefacts. To begin excavating, you will need to click on a hotspot at any one of the Dig sites. Hotspots can be identified by mounds of dirt that have blue sparkles above it. Once they are investigated, the mounds will open up and you will know what type of hotspot you are dealing with. Hotspots are found in sets of 3 or more, so when you open one, they will all open.

sparkle

Now that you know what type of hotspot you are excavating, you will also know: the level requirements, materials excavated, and damaged artefacts you can find. In total, there are about 65 different hotspots that can be excavated. See the table below to see which ones you can access at what level.

When excavating, be sure to bring your Archaeological soil box. This is used to hold soils that you have collected, enabling you to remain at the dig sites longer. Many locations within the sites also have Material carts where you can deposit materials instead of leaving or using porters. If using porters, it is highly recommended to use them in conjunction with a Grace of the elves.

As you are digging, you will notice a small glowing ball swirling above one of the dig sites. This is the Time sprite that works similar to Rockertunities. Unlike Rockertunities, the Time sprite is a constant thing while excavating. It simply moves around the hotspots of that type so you will need to follow it if you want its benefits.

sprite

When you excavate a location where the Time sprite is, you will notice an icon on your buff bar that will increase 2% every 4 ticks. This buff will also decrease by 2% every 4 ticks if you are digging at a hotspot where the Time sprite is not at or by 1% if you are not digging at all. Benefits for digging at a location where the Time sprite is are as follows:

  • 1% Focus - Gain 10% more Archaeology experience
  • 40% Focus - Gain another 10% more Archaeology experience (+20% total) and your Mattock precision is increased by 10%
  • 100% Focus - On your next action, your Mattock precision is doubled (2x) and you are guaranteed to obtain a Material. Your Focus will then reduce to 60% and begin to increase/decrease as normal.
    • At level 43, your precision will triple (3x) instead of double
    • At level 82, your precision will quadruple (4x) instead of triple
    • At level 101, your precision will quintuple (5x) instead of quadruple

Note that if you begin excavating a hotspot and leave before obtaining your artefact, your progress will not be lost. It will remain where it was left even if you begin to excavate another hotspot. When you return, you will resume where you left off.

Level Hotspot Dig Site Artefacts Materials
Experience Item Experience Item
1 Centurion remains
(Tutorial only)
Varrock Dig Site 80 - Centurion's dress sword (damaged) 8 - Imperial iron
- Purpleheart wood
5 Venator remains Kharid-et 70 - Venator dagger (damaged)
- Venator light crossbow (damaged)
6.4 - Third Age iron
- Zarosian insignia
12 Legionary remains Kharid-et 104 - Legionary gladius (damaged)
- Legionary square shield (damaged)
- Primis Elementis standard (damaged)
9.3 - Imperial steel
- Samite silk
- Third Age iron
17 Castra debris Kharid-et 109 - Zaros effigy (damaged)
- Zarosian training dummy (damaged)
9.8 - Samite silk
- Third Age iron
- White oak
- Zarosian insignia
20 Lodge bar debris Infernal Source 112 - Hookah pipe (damaged)
- Opulent wine goblet (damaged)
10 - Goldrune
- Orthenglass
- Third Age iron
24 Lodge art storage Infernal Source 116 - Crest of Dagon (damaged)
- 'Disorder' painting (damaged)
10.4 - Cadmium red
- Samite silk
- Vellum
- White oak
25 Administratum debris Kharid-et 126 - Legatus Maximus figurine (damaged)
- 'Solem in Umbra' painting (damaged)
11.2 - Ancient vis
- Goldrune
- Tyrian purple
- Zarosian insignia
29 Cultist footlocker Infernal Source 131 - Greater demon mask (damaged)
- Imp mask (damaged)
- Lesser demon mask (damaged)
11.8 - Chaotic brimstone
- Demonhide
- Leather scraps
- Third Age iron
36 Sacrificial altar Infernal Source 157 - Order of Dis robes (damaged)
- Ritual dagger (damaged)
14.2 - Cadmium red
- Eye of Dagon
- Goldrune
- Hellfire metal
42 Prodromoi remains Everlight 171 - 'Frying pan' (damaged)
- Hallowed lantern (damaged)
15.3 - Keramos
- Third Age iron
- White marble
45 Dis dungeon debris Infernal Source 178 - Branding iron (damaged)
- Manacles (damaged)
16 - Chaotic brimstone
- Eye of Dagon
- Hellfire metal
- Third Age iron
47 Praesidio remains Kharid-et 184 - Ancient timepiece (damaged)
- Legatus pendant (damaged)
16.5 - Ancient vis
- Goldrune
- Imperial steel
- Third Age iron
48 Monoceros remains Everlight 189 - Ceremonial unicorn ornament (damaged)
- Ceremonial unicorn saddle (damaged)
17 - Cobalt blue
- Keramos
- Leather scraps
51 Amphitheatre debris Everlight 190 - Everlight harp (damaged)
- Everlight trumpet (damaged)
- Everlight violin (damaged)
17.2 - Everlight silvthril
- Goldrune
- Star of Saradomin
- White oak
56 Ceramics studio debris Everlight 198 - Folded-arm figurine (female)(damaged)
- Folded-arm figurine (male)(damaged)
17.8 - Goldrune
- White marble
58 Carcerem debris Kharid-et 201 - 'Incite Fear' spell scroll (damaged)
- Pontifex signet ring (damaged)
18 - Ancient vis
- Blood of Orcus
- Goldrune
- Vellum
61 Stadio debris Everlight 224 - Dominion discus (damaged)
- Dominion javelin (damaged)
- Dominion pelte shield (damaged)
20.2 - Keramos
- Samite silk
- Star of Saradomin
- Third Age iron
65 Infernal art Infernal Source 249 - 'Lust' metal sculpture (damaged)
- 'The Lake of Fire' painting (damaged)
22.2 - Cadmium red
- Goldrune
- Samite silk
- White oak
68 Shakroth remains Infernal Source 289 - Chaos star (damaged)
- Spiked dog collar (damaged)
26 - Chaotic brimstone
- Hellfire metal
- Leather scraps
- Third Age iron
69 Dominion games podium Everlight 290 - Bronze Dominion medal (damaged)
- Dominion torch (damaged)
- Silver Dominion medal (damaged)
26.2 - Everlight silvthril
- Goldrune
- Orthenglass
- Star of Saradomin
70 Ikovian memorial Stormguard Citadel 299 - Ikovian gerege (damaged)
- Toy glider (damaged)
- Toy war golem (damaged)
26.9 - Stormguard steel
- Third Age iron
- White oak
- Wings of War
72 Oikos studio debris Everlight 308 - Decorative vase (damaged)
- Kantharos cup (damaged)
- Patera bowl (damaged)
27.7 - Cobalt blue
- Everlight silvthril
- Keramos
- White marble
74 Kharid-et chapel debris Kharid-et 335 - Ceremonial mace (damaged)
- 'Consensus ad Idem' painting (damaged)
- Pontifex Maximus figurine (damaged)
30 - Goldrune
- Third Age iron
- Tyrian purple
- White oak
76 Gladitorial goblin remains Warforge 351 - Ekeleshuun blinder mask (damaged)
- Narogoshuun 'Hob-da-Gob' ball (damaged)
- Rekeshuun war tether (damaged)
31.6 - Malachite green
- Mark of the Kyzaj
- Vulcanised rubber
- Warforged bronze
76 Keshik ger Stormguard Citadel 351 - Avian song-egg player (damaged)
- Keshik drum (damaged)
- Morin khuur (damaged)
31.6 - Animal furs
- Armadylean yellow
- Leather scraps
- White oak
81 Crucible stands debris Warforge 422 - Ogre kyzaj axe (damaged)
- Ork cleaver sword (damaged)
37.9 - Fossilised bone
- Mark of the Kyzaj
- Warforged bronze
81 Pontifex remains Kharid-et 422 - Pontifex censer (damaged)
- Pontifex crozier (damaged)
- Pontifex mitre (damaged)
37.9 - Ancient vis
- Goldrune
- Zarosian insignia
81 Animal trophies Infernal Source 422 - Larupia trophy (damaged)
- Lion trophy (damaged)
- She-wolf trophy (damaged)
37.9 - Animal furs
- Cadmium red
- Chaotic brimstone
- Orthenglass
81 Tailory debris Stormguard Citadel 422 - Aviansie dreamcoat (damaged)
- Ceremonial plume (damaged)
- Peacocking parasol (damaged)
37.9 - Animal furs
- Armadylean yellow
- Goldrune
- Samite silk
83 Goblin dorm debris Warforge 452 - Thorobshuun battle standard (damaged)
- Yurkolgokh stink grenade (damaged)
40.5 - Malachite green
- Vulcanised rubber
- White oak
- Yu'biusk clay
84 Oikos fishing hut remnants Everlight 478 - Dominarian device (damaged)
- Fishing trident (damaged)
40.5 - Everlight silvthril
- Goldrune
- Star of Saradomin
- Third Age iron
85 Weapons research debris Stormguard Citadel 491 - Hawkeye lens multi-vision scope (damaged)
- Talon-3 razor wing (damaged)
44.2 - Aetherium alloy
- Orthenglass
- Stormguard steel
- Wings of War
86 Orcus altar Kharid-et 537 - 'Exsanguinate' spell scroll (damaged)
- Necromantic focus (damaged)
48.3 - Ancient vis
- Blood of Orcus
- Imperial steel
- Vellum
89 Dis overspill Infernal Source 576 - 'Pandemonium' tapestry (damaged)
- 'Torment' metal sculpture (damaged)
51.9 - Cadmium red
- Eye of Dagon
- Hellfire metal
- Third Age iron
89 Big High War God shrine Warforge 576 - High priest crozier (damaged)
- High priest mitre (damaged)
- High priest orb (damaged)
51.9 - Goldrune
- Malachite green
- Mark of the Kyzaj
- Samite silk
90 Varanusaur remains Orthen Dig Site 603 - Pasaha (damaged)
- Ritual bell (damaged)
54.2 - Compass rose
- Felt
- Goldrune
91 Gravitron research debris Stormguard Citadel 646 - Prototype gravimeter (damaged)
- Songbird recorder (damaged)
58 - Leather scraps
- Orthenglass
- Quintessence
- Stormguard steel
92 Acropolis debris Everlight 668 - Amphora (damaged)
- Rod of Asclepius (damaged)
59.4 - Everlight silvthril
- Goldrune
- Keramos
- White marble
93 Armarium debris Kharid-et 690 - Zarosian ewer (damaged)
- Zarosian stein (damaged)
62 - Imperial steel
- Third Age iron
- Zarosian insignia
94 Yu'biusk animal pen Warforge 717 - Beastkeeper helm (damaged)
- Idithuun horn ring (damaged)
- 'Nosorog!' sculpture (damaged)
64.5 - Fossilised bone
- Vulcanised rubber
- Warforged bronze
- Yu'biusk clay
95 Keshik tower debris Stormguard Citadel 741 - Dayguard shield (damaged)
- Stormguard gerege (damaged)
66.6 - Goldrune
- Stormguard steel
- White oak
- Wings of War
96 Dragonkin reliquary Orthen Dig Site 770 - Vazara (damaged)
- Kilaya (damaged)
69.3 - Compass rose
- Dragon metal
- Goldrune
97 Goblin trainee remains Warforge 793 - Garagorshuun anchor (damaged)
- Ourg megahitter (damaged)
- Ourg tower/goblin cower shield (damaged)
71.2 - Fossilised bone
- Leather scraps
- Third Age iron
- Warforged bronze
98 Byzroth remains Infernal Source 854 - Hellfire haladie (damaged)
- Hellfire katar (damaged)
- Hellfire zaghnal (damaged)
76.8 - Hellfire metal
- Leather scraps
- Orthenglass
- White oak
98 Destroyed golem Stormguard Citadel 854 - Golem heart (damaged)
- Golem instruction (damaged)
76.8 - Aetherium alloy
- Quintessence
- Soapstone
- Vellum
99 Dragonkin coffin Orthen Dig Site 904 - Death mask (damaged)
- Dragonkin calendar (damaged)
- Dragonkin staff (damaged)
81.3 - Carbon black
- Compass rose
- Orgone
- Soapstone
100 Kyzaj champion's boudoir Warforge 956 - Dorgeshuun spear (damaged)
- 'Forged in War' sculpture (damaged)
86 - Warforged bronze
- White oak
- Yu'biusk clay
100 Culinarum debris Kharid-et 956 - 'Smoke Cloud' spell scroll (damaged)
- Vigorem vial (damaged)
86 - Ancient vis
- Blood of Orcus
- Imperial steel
- Vellum
100 Icyene weapon rack Everlight 956 - Kopis dagger (damaged)
- Xiphos short sword (damaged)
86 - Everlight silvthril
- Leather scraps
101 Autopsy table Orthen Dig Site 1,003 - Dragon scalpel (damaged)
- Protective goggles (damaged)
90.2 - Dragon metal
- Felt
- Orthenglass
102 Experiment workbench Orthen Dig Site 1,024 - Dragon burner (damaged)
- Orthenglass flask (damaged)
92.1 - Dragon metal
- Orgone
- Orthenglass
103 Keshik weapon rack Stormguard Citadel 1,058 - Blackfire lance (damaged)
- Nightguard shield (damaged)
95.2 - Aetherium alloy
- Quintessence
- Stormguard steel
- Wings of War
104 Hellfire forge Infernal Source 1,089 - 'Possession' metal sculpture (damaged)
- Trishula (damaged)
- Tsutsaroth piercing (damaged)
98 - Cadmium red
- Eye of Dagon
- Hellfire metal
- Third Age iron
104 Warforge scrap pile Warforge 1,089 - Huzamogaarb chaos crown (damaged)
- Saragorgak star crown (damaged)
98 - Third Age iron
- Warforged bronze
105 Stockpiled art Everlight 1,147 - 'Hallowed Be the Everlight' painting (damaged)
- 'The Lord of Light' painting (damaged)
- 'The Pride of Padosan' painting (damaged)
103.2 - Cobalt blue
- Samite silk
- Vellum
- White oak
106 Aughra remains Orthen Dig Site 1,217 - Meditation pipe (damaged)
- Personal totem (damaged)
- Singing bowl (damaged)
109.6 - Carbon black
- Compass rose
- Dragon metal
- Orgone
107 Ancient magick munitions Kharid-et 1,293 - Ancient magic tablet (damaged)
- 'Animate Dead' spell scroll (damaged)
- Portable phylactery (damaged)
116 - Ancient vis
- Blood of Orcus
- Imperial steel
- Vellum
108 Moksha device Orthen Dig Site 1,320 - Lingam stone (damaged)
- Master control (damaged)
118.9 - Carbon black
- Compass rose
- Orgone
109 Bibliotheke debris Everlight 1,346 - 'The Enlightened Soul' scroll (damaged)
- 'The Eudoxian Elements' tablet (damaged)
121 - Goldrune
- Star of Saradomin
- Vellum
- White marble
110 Chthonian trophies Infernal Source 1,398 - Chaos Elemental trophy (damaged)
- Virius trophy (damaged)
126 - Chaotic brimstone
- Demonhide
- Orthenglass
- White oak
110 Warforge weapon rack Warforge 1,398 - Drogokishuun hook sword (damaged)
- Hobgoblin mansticker (damaged)
126 - Fossilised bone
- Malachite green
- Warforged bronze
111 Flight research debris Stormguard Citadel 1,446 - Flat cap (damaged)
- Night owl flight goggles (damaged)
130 - Armadylean yellow
- Leather scraps
- Orthenglass
- Samite silk
112 Aetherium forge Stormguard Citadel 1,497 - Prototype godbow (damaged)
- Prototype godstaff (damaged)
- Prototype godsword (damaged)
135 - Aetherium alloy
- Goldrune
- Quintessence
- Wings of War
113 Xolo mine Orthen Dig Site 1,524 - Xolo hard hat (damaged)
- Xolo pickaxe (damaged)
137.2 - Dragon metal
- Goldrune
- Orgone
114 Praetorian remains Kharid-et 1,557 - Praetorian hood (damaged)
- Praetorian robes (damaged)
- Praetorian staff (damaged)
140 - Ancient vis
- Imperial steel
- Samite silk
- Zarosian insignia
115 Bandos' sanctum debris Warforge 1,601 - Kal-i-kran chieftain crown (damaged)
- Kal-i-kran mace (damaged)
- Kal-i-kran warhorn (damaged)
144 - Animal furs
- Fossilised bone
- Vulcanised rubber
- Yu'biusk clay
116 Tsutsaroth remains Infernal Source 1,667 - Tsutsaroth helm (damaged)
- Tsutsaroth pauldron (damaged)
- Tsutsaroth urumi (damaged)
150 - Eye of Dagon
- Goldrune
- Hellfire metal
- Third Age iron
117 Optimatoi debris Everlight 1,704 - Doru spear (damaged)
- Kontos lance (damaged)
154 - Everlight silvthril
- Samite silk
- White oak
118 Howl's workshop debris Stormguard Citadel 1,761 - Chuluu stone (damaged)
- Quintessence counter (damaged)
- Spherical astrolabe (damaged)
158 - Aetherium alloy
- Armadylean yellow
- Quintessence
- Soapstone
118 War table debris Kharid-et 1,761 - Ancient globe (damaged)
- Battle plans (damaged)
- 'Prima Legio' painting (damaged)
158 - Ancient vis
- Tyrian purple
- Vellum
- White oak
119 Makeshift pie oven Warforge 1,801 - 'Da Boss Man' sculpture (damaged)
- Horogothgar cooking pot (damaged)
162 - Malachite green
- Soapstone
- Yu'biusk clay
119 Xolo remains Orthen Dig Site 1,801 - Xolo shield (damaged)
- Xolo spear (damaged)
162 - Dragon metal
- Felt
- Goldrune
- Orgone
120 Saurthen debris Orthen Dig Site 1,869 - Gold dish (damaged)
- 'Raksha' idol (damaged)
168.2 - Dragon metal
- Goldrune
- Orgone

Caches

While hotspots are permanent, there are other places that can only be Excavated for limited periods of time called caches. Also unlike the hotspots, caches can be found in random locations throughout the world (not just at the dig sites) and they will only provide you with materials. Be aware that any cache within a Dig Site's boundaries will also give you soil.

Note that caches are not instanced and will deplete in a fashion similar to trees. The higher level the cache is, the longer it will take to respond, however, it is possible to world hop in order to find them more rapidly. For this reason, the Refined Invention perk is very useful for accumulating large quantities of materials.

Level Material Experience Locations Members
Dig Site Other
5 Third Age iron 24.3 Archaeology Campus Free Icon
5 Zarosian insignia 24.3 Kharid-et Empty Throne Room East Free Icon
12 Imperial steel 24.2 Kharid-et Empty Throne Room North Free Icon
12 Samite silk 24.3 Kharid-et Al Kharid East Free Icon
17 White oak 24.2 Ice Mountain Free Icon
20 Goldrune 24.3 Camdozaal Cavern Members Icon
20 Orthenglass 24.2 Anachronia North Members Icon
24 Cadmium red 24.2 Infernal Source First Tower Members Icon
24 Vellum 24.4 First Tower Members Icon
25 Ancient vis 24.2 Kharid-et Slayer Tower Members Icon
25 Tyrian purple 24.1 Kharid-et Empty Throne Room South Members Icon
29 Chaotic brimstone 24.4 Infernal Source Daemonheim South West Members Icon
29 Demonhide 24.2 Infernal Source God Wars Dungeon (Zamorak East) Members Icon
29 Leather scraps 24.2 Morytania North Members Icon
36 Eye of Dagon 30.0 Infernal Source Daemonheim South West Members Icon
36 Hellfire metal 30.2 Infernal Source God Wars Dungeon (Zamorak North) Members Icon
42 Keramos 30.4 Everlight God Wars Dungeon (Saradomin South East) Members Icon
42 White marble 30.3 Everlight First Tower Members Icon
48 Cobalt blue 30.3 Everlight God Wars Dungeon (Saradomin South East) Members Icon
51 Everlight silvthril 30.2 Everlight Barrows mounds Members Icon
51 Star of Saradomin 30.2 Everlight Barrows mounds Members Icon
58 Blood of Orcus 30.2 Kharid-et Slayer Tower Members Icon
70 Stormguard steel 56.4 Stormguard Citadel God Wars Dungeon (Armadyl South West) Members Icon
70 Wings of War 56.4 Stormguard Citadel God Wars Dungeon (Armadyl South West) Members Icon
76 Animal furs 56.3 Feldip Members Icon
76 Armadylean yellow 56.5 Stormguard Citadel Empyrean Citadel Members Icon
76 Malachite green 56.5 Warforge God Wars Dungeon (Bandos' Stronghold) Members Icon
76 Mark of the Kyzaj 56.4 Warforge God Wars Dungeon (Bandos West) Members Icon
76 Vulcanised rubber 56.4 Warforge Members Icon
76 Warforged bronze 56.4 Warforge God Wars Dungeon (Bandos' Stronghold)
God Wars Dungeon (Bandos North)
Members Icon
81 Fossilised bone 56.4 Ancient Cavern
Odd Old Man
Members Icon
83 Yu'biusk clay 56.4 Warforge Members Icon
85 Aetherium alloy 56.5 Stormguard Citadel Empyrean Citadel Members Icon
90 Compass rose 92.7 Orthen Dig Site Members Icon
90 Felt 92.5 Orthen Dig Site Ancient Cavern Members Icon
91 Quintessence 92.9 Stormguard Citadel Empyrean Citadel Members Icon
96 Dragon metal 92.7 Orthen Dig Site Anachronia (West) Members Icon
98 Soapstone 92.9 Waiko Members Icon
99 Carbon black 92. Orthen Dig Site Mount Firewake Members Icon
99 Orgone 92.8 Orthen Dig Site Anachronia (West) Members Icon


Mattocks

In order to even be able to Excavate the hotspots and caches listed above, you will need to have a mattock either equipped or placed on your toolbelt. Note that Smithable mattocks can be created regardless of your Archaeology level, however, they cannot be used until you reach the appropriate level. At steel+, when a new mattock replaces your old one on your toolbelt, you will receive the removed/previous mattock back in your inventory. This can then be sold, disassembled, or dropped as desired.

Note that skillchompas can be used in place of a mattock to Excavate. The effectiveness of their ability to Excavate will be the same as the corresponding tier mattock.

Keep in mind that the higher your tool's Precision, the faster the blue progress bar above your head will fill and you will obtain an Artefact. The Focus, on the other hand, affects the chance you have to obtain Materials while Excavating. For both of these, the higher the number, the better your tool.

Level Mattock Stats Source Made With Augmentable?
Precision Focus
1 Bronze Mattock
Bronze mattock
5 0 - Player Made
- Archaeology Guild
- 2 Bronze bar No
10 Iron Mattock
Iron mattock
10 1 - Player Made
- Archaeology Guild
- 2 Iron bar No
20 Steel Mattock
Steel mattock
15 1 - Player Made
- Archaeology Guild
- 2 Steel bar No
30 Mithril Mattock
Mithril mattock
20 2 - Player Made
- Archaeology Guild
- 2 Mithril bar No
40 Adamant Mattock
Adamant mattock
25 2 - Player Made
- Archaeology Guild
- 2 Adamant bar No
50 Rune Mattock
Rune mattock
30 3 - Player Made
- Archaeology Guild
- 2 Rune bar No
60 Orikalkum Mattock
Orikalkum mattock
40 3 - Player Made - 2 Orikalkum bar No
60 Dragon Mattock
Dragon mattock
50 4 - Big Game Hunter
- Ancient casket
N/A Yes
70 Necronium Mattock
Necronium mattock
50 4 - Player Made - 2 Necronium bar No
70 Crystal Mattock
Crystal mattock
60 5 - Player Made - Dragon mattock
- 4,000 Harmonic dust
Yes
80 Bane Mattock
Bane mattock
60 5 - Player Made - 2 Bane bar No
80 Imcando Mattock
Imcando mattock
70 6 - Player Made - Dragon mattock
- Chunk of imcando metal
- Lump of imcando metal
- Shard of imcando metal
- Slice of imcando metal
- Redberry pie*
Yes
90 Elder Rune Mattock
Elder rune mattock
70 6 - Player Made - 2 Elder rune bar No
99 Mattock T&S
Mattock of Time and Space
80 7 - Player Made - Crystal mattock
- Imcando mattock
- Energised meteorite shard
Yes
99 Guildmaster Tony's Mattock
Guildmaster Tony's mattock
80 9 - Archaeology Guild
with a Shadowy key
N/A Yes

*You will also need to unlock a specific area to create the mattock. See the item entry for details.



Screening

Once you have done some Excavating, you have the option of screening your soil. This step can be time consuming, but will provide you with more materials (mainly) and artefacts (sometimes) that were not found when first Excavating. If you feel you have enough of them without screening soil, it is not necessary to do this. Alternatively, you can do it while Excavating by using an Auto-screener v1.080 to automatically screen your soils as they are obtained.

Currently, it is only possible to screen soil at one location: on the Eastern side of the dig site, near the dock to Anachronia. At most, 100 of any type soil can be screened per iteration. If you have more than 100 soils, you will need to start more rounds to screen everything. If you have a porter or Grace of the elves with porters worn then your materials will automatically be deposited to your storage container.

When screening soil, you will obtain any associated material up to your current level. As such, many people wait until they reach the maximum level to obtain all materials and artefacts from their soil.

Soil Type Levels Location Items
Minimum Maximum Materials Artefacts
soil
Senntisten soil
1 1 Varrock Dig Site - Imperial iron
- Purpleheart wood
gravel
Ancient gravel
5 58 Kharid-et - Ancient vis
- Blood of Orcus
- Goldrune
- Imperial steel
- Samite silk
- Third Age iron
- Tyrian purple
- Vellum
- White oak
- Zarosian insignia
Zarosian Artefacts
brimstone
Fiery brimstone
20 36 Infernal Source - Animal furs
- Cadmium red
- Chaotic brimstone
- Demonhide
- Eye of Dagon
- Goldrune
- Hellfire metal
- Leather scraps
- Orthenglass
- Samite silk
- Third Age iron
- Vellum
- White oak
Zamorakian Artefacts
mud
Saltwater mud
42 51 Everlight - Cobalt blue
- Everlight silvthril
- Goldrune
- Keramos
- Leather scraps
- Orthenglass
- Samite silk
- Star of Saradomin
- Third Age iron
- Vellum
- White marble
- White oak
Saradominist Artefacts
sediment
Aerated sediment
70 91 Stormguard Citadel - Aetherium alloy
- Animal furs
- Armadylean yellow
- Goldrune
- Leather scraps
- Orthenglass
- Quintessence
- Samite silk
- Soapstone
- Stormguard steel
- Third Age iron
- Vellum
- White oak
- Wings of War
Armadylean Artefacts
clay
Earthen clay
76 83 Warforge - Animal furs
- Fossilised bone
- Goldrune
- Leather scraps
- Malachite green
- Mark of the Kyzaj
- Samite silk
- Soapstone
- Third Age iron
- Vulcanised rubber
- Warforged bronze
- White oak
- Yu'biusk clay
Bandosian Artefacts
ash
Volcanic ash
90 120 Orthen Dig Site - Carbon black
- Compass rose
- Dragon metal
- Felt
- Goldrune
- Orgone
- Orthenglass
- Soapstone
Dragonkin Artefacts


Repairing

Having collected artefacts, either from Excavating or Screening, you will now want to repair them as this is where you will get a large portion of your experience. Clicking one of these damaged items will open an interface where you can see: requirements and materials to repair them, which Collection(s) they belong to, experience that you will gain for repairing it, and how many Chronotes you will obtain when you turn it in to a Collector.

Item repairing must be completed at an Archaeologist’s workbench. These can be found at the entrance of each Dig Site (where you teleport to) and one at the Archaeology Campus, North of the Monolith. Near these locations you will also find a Material storage container. This is where your materials can be stored to save on bank space. Initially there are 25 spots for you to use, but it is possible to unlock more space at higher levels so that you can have up to 40 spots – more on this later.

workbench

There are 2 buttons on the storage interface. One to deposit all of the items in your backpack and one to withdraw all items from storage. Removing items with this button will provide you with noted items. Alternatively, you can click any item to remove them unnoted individually – Right clicking will enable you to select how many you wish to withdraw unnoted. Be aware that removing materials is not necessary, unless you are running out of space, as repairing items will remove items from the container automatically.

storage interface

To actually repair an item, you will need to have 1 or more damaged items in your inventory, the necessary materials to repair the item, and the required level. Click the workbench and the Restoration interface will open. On the Left side you will see a dropdown at the top to select which God faction you would like to repair items for and below this you will see a selection of items from this category. Any item which is in vibrant color is indicating that you have what is necessary to repair it. When you have an item selected, regardless of if you can fix it, the Right side will provide you with the details of the repair. Click "restore" to repair the item, then wait the 6 seconds (per item) to complete the process.

repair interface

Once you have restored your item, you will be ready to speak with a Collector to trade it.



Chronotes

Chronotes are the currency for archaeology. They are obtained by turning Repaired artefacts in to collectors or you can obtain 60% of the Chronotes you would have received from a collector if you turn them in to the Museum guard.

Chronotes are used to purchase various items and upgrades from the Archaeology guild. These include upgrades for your Archaeological soil box, skill outfit pieces, experience boosting items, and more. In addition to spending them at the guild, Chronotes can be used for Research and Relics.

Guild Shop



Qualifications

As you are leveling through Archaeology, you will notice that there are 5 different Qualifications. These ranks provide you with more access to rewards and abilities. The ranks, their requirements, and their perks can be found below.


Intern

After completion of the Tutorial, you will have obtained the first qualification – Intern. With this rank you obtain access to items from the Intern tab at Ezreal’s shop and the title "[NAME] the Archaeology intern".


Assistant

The second qualification can be obtained after speaking with Acting Guildmaster Reiniger and completion of the following requirements:

Once you have unlocked the rank, you will earn the ability to Research, be able to purchase from the Assistant tab in Ezreal’s shop, and the title "[NAME] the Archaeology Assistant".


Associate

To obtain the third qualification, you will need to speak with Acting Guildmaster Reiniger after completing the following achievements:

Once you have unlocked the rank, you will earn a 3rd slot for your Research team, access to research assistants and new special research, be able to purchase from the Associate tab in Ezreal’s shop, and the title "[NAME] the Archaeology Associate".


Professor

The second to the last rank is the Professor qualification. To obtain it, you will need to speak with after completing the following achievements:

Once you have unlocked the rank, you will earn a 4th slot for your Research team, access to research associates and new special research, be able to purchase from the Professor tab in Ezreal’s shop, and the title "[NAME] the Archaeology Professor".


Guildmaster

The fifth and final rank is that of the Guildmaster qualification. To obtain it, you will need to speak with after completing the following achievements:

Once you have unlocked the rank, you will earn a 5th slot for your Research team, access to research professors, be able to purchase from the Guildmaster tab in Ezreal’s shop, and the title "[NAME] the Archaeology Guildmaster".



Dig Sites

In total, there are 5 different dig sites where you can dig up and repair different Artefacts. Each one of these sites are dedicated to a different God and can be accessed at specific level milestones. The sections below give minor detail concerning each area. Please see the associated area guide for more information.


Kharid-et

The Kharid-et Dig Site is the first location you will have access to and begins at level 5. This dig site is Zarosian in nature and most Zaros Artefacts will be found here. There are a total of 6 Caches, 14 Hotspots, 8 Mysteries, and 7 Research locations. You will be able to complete/access all of each activity at the following levels:


Infernal Source

At level 20, you will be invited to access the Infernal Source Dig Site. This dig site is Zamorakian in nature and, as such, all Zamorak Artefacts will be found here. There are a total of 5 Caches, 13 Hotspots, 4 Mysteries, and 6 Research locations. You will be able to complete/access all of each activity at the following levels:


Everlight

At level 42, you will be invited to access the Everlight Dig Site. This dig site is Saradominist in nature and, as such, all Saradomin Artefacts will be found here. There are a total of 5 Caches, 13 Hotspots, 7 Mysteries, and 7 Research locations. You will be able to complete/access all of each activity at the following levels:


Senntisten

At level 60, you will have access the Senntisten Dig Site. This dig site is Zarosian in nature and, as such, additional Zaros Artefacts will be found here. There are a total of 0 Caches, 6 Hotspots, 3 Mysteries, and 3 Research locations. You will be able to complete/access all of each activity at the following levels:


Stormguard Citadel

At level 70, you will be invited to access the Stormguard Citadel Dig Site. This dig site is Armadelean in nature and, as such, all Armadyl Artefacts will be found here. There are a total of 5 Caches, 11 Hotspots, 6 Mysteries, and 6 Research locations. You will be able to complete/access all of each activity at the following levels:


Warforge

At level 76, you will be invited to access the Warforge Dig Site. This dig site is Bandosian in nature and, as such, all Bandos Artefacts will be found here. There are a total of 5 Caches, 11 Hotspots, 6 Mysteries, and 6 Research locations. You will be able to complete/access all of each activity at the following levels:


Orthen

The Orthen Dig Site is the last location you will have access to and begins at level 90. This dig site is Draginkin in nature and, as such, all Dragonkin Artefacts will be found here. There are a total of 5 Caches, 10 Hotspots, 8 Mysteries, and 8 Research locations. You will be able to complete/access all of each activity at the following levels:



Collections

All Artefacts found in Dig sites can be given to collectors in their restored form. This is without question the fastest way to obtain large quantities of chronotes, especially when donating your collections to Velucia. See our Archaeology Collections Special Report for more information on collections.



Research Teams

COMING SOON!



Mysteries

Mysteries are kind of like Miniquests that are exclusively for the Archaeology skill. Most of them are fairly simple in that you simply need to find something and give it to the lead archaeologist at the associated site. Some of the others are more complex that involve several steps and puzzles before it can be completed. Please see our Archaeology Mysteries Special Report for a list of all Mysteries and how to complete them.



Monolith

Located at the center of the Archaeology Campus is a large Mysterious Monolith. This Monolith is used with Relics in order to unlock specific passive Powers. The sections below will help you discover which Powers you may want to have, how to obtain the associated Relic for each one, and how to manage the Energy used.


Energy

Clicking on the Monolith will open the Relic Powers interface where everything can be managed. In the top Left corner you will notice a fraction. This number indicates how much of the Monolith's energy you are currently using for active Powers. The area below this number indicates which Powers are currently active and the area to the right shows you the Powers (highlighted ones indicate you have used the Relic on the Monolith and can activate them).

Relic Powers Interface

The total amount of Energy that can be used will increase as your Archaeology level does; capping at 500 points.

Level Qualification Research Power
5 Intern None 150
40 Assistant Mysterious Monolith: Existence 250
70 Associate Mysterious Monolith: Architecture 400
90 Professor Mysterious Monolith: Symbology 500

To activate a Power, begin by opening the Relic Power interface (click the Monolith) and select a Relic power on the Right side of the screen. At the top, you will be provided with the name of the Power, its effect, as well as the Energy and Chronotes required to harness it. Note that you will be required to pay Chronotes every time you activate a power, even if you have previously used it. Once you have your desired Power selected, click "Harness Power" at the bottom. This will open a confirmation window where you can choose the slot you want the Relic to occupy. Once you click confirm, it will add the Relic Power to the Left section of the screen (to show that it is active), consume your Chronotes, and claim the necessary amount of Energy (noted at the top Left of the screen).

Deactivating a Power can be done by selecting one of your active ones (via the Left or Right of the interface) and selecting "Unharness Power" on the bottom Right. A confirmation window will appear to make sure that you wish to remove it.


Powers

The table below gives a description of the various Powers that can be obtained by acquiring Relics and activating them at the Monolith. Clicking a Relic name will take you to the section below where you can find out how to obtain it. Note that the level listed in this table is required to obtain the associated Relic. While most of the time the level can be boosted to gain access "early", this cannot be done if Research is required.

Please be aware that Font of Life is the only Free to Play Power. As such, it is the only one that will be active while on Free Worlds. All other Powers will not work unless you are on a Members Only World.

Level Power Effect Chronotes Monolith Energy Relic
5 Font of Life Increases maximum Health by 500. 1,000 50 The Mortal Cup
24 Ring of Luck You will always gain the effect of tier 1 Luck. 1,000 50 Hand of Glory (Ring of Luck)
25 Unexpected Diplomacy 10% increase to all reputation gains at The Heart, the Farming Guild, Menaphos, and Mazcab. 1,000 50 Seal of the Praefectus Praetorio
36 Pouch Protector When using Runecrafting pouches, they will never degrade. 2,000 100 Threads of Fate
51 Ring of Wealth You will always gain the effect of tier 2 Luck. 2,000 100 Hand of Glory (Ring of Wealth)*
56 Berserker's Fury Deal up to +5.5% damage (all styles) the lower your current life points are below max. (Doesn't stack with Dharok's set effect.) 5,000 250 Dharok's Memento
58 Ring of Fortune You will always gain the effect of tier 3 Luck. 3,000 150 Hand of Glory (Ring of Fortune)*
67 Aurelius's Mask Reduces the cooldown of Surge, Escape, Bladed Dive and Barge by 50%, but these abilities no longer generate adrenaline. 1,000 150 Shadow's Grace
68 Nexus Mod When entering the Abyss, you will arrive at the center. 3,000 150 Abyssal Gatestone
74 Eye of Het Food and potions heal 10% more life points. 2,000 100 Blessing of Het
81 Endurance When running, you will no longer drain your run energy. 2,000 100 Oo'glog Wellspring
81 Pharm Ecology Your herb and mushroom patches no longer become diseased. 3,000 150 Queen Mab's Moonstone
81 Death Ward 5% damage reduction when your life points are below 50%; 10% damage reduction when they are below 25%. 3,000 150 Ring of Solomon
83 Luck of the Dwarves You will always gain the effect of tier 4 Luck. 4,000 200 Hand of Glory (Luck of the Dwarves)*
83 Always Adze When Woodcutting, you will always burn your cut logs for immediate Firemaking XP. 2,000 100 Seed of the Charyou Tree
84 Sticky Fingers When pickpocketing, you will automatically attempt to pickpocket again until you get caught. 2,000 100 Andvaranaut
91 Deathless When Dungeoneering, you will never receive a penalty for dying. 2,000 100 Korschei's Death Egg
97 Fury of the Small All basic abilities generate 1% more adrenaline. 3,000 150 Goblin Warpaints
98 Divine Conversion When converting memories at a rift, you will convert your entire backpack in one go. 2,000 100 Cres framework
98 Persistent Rage Your adrenaline will not drain outside of Combat. 3,000 150 The Rings of Razulei
99 Bait and Switch Fishing produce are Cooked when caught. Only works on fish with a cooked variant and awards 50% of the base Cooking xp. Can be used with porters, the cooked fish will get banked like raw ones would. 2,000 100 Evil Bob's Catspaw
102 Flow State 20% increase to Archaeology excavation precision (at the expense of receiving no soil). 4,000 200 Soma
105 Heightened Senses Increases maximum adrenaline by 10%. 7,000 350 Cup of Nectar
108 Death Note All guaranteed bone and ash drops are noted. Bonecrusher, (Attuned) Ectoplasmator, and Prayer urns take priority over this power. 3,000 150 Kaladanda
112 Teleport spells from the spellbook no longer require runes, but award no Magic XP. 5,000 250 The Subtle Blade
116 Inspire Love You will gain 2% more XP when training support skills. 5,000 250 Ariadne's Diadem
117 Inspire Effort You will gain 2% more XP when training gathering skills. 5,000 250 Petasos
118 Conservation of Energy After using an ultimate ability, you will regain 10% adrenaline. 7,000 350 Experimental Aether Reactor
118 Inspire Genius You will gain 2% more XP when training artisan skills. 5,000 250 Howl's Thinking Cap
119 Slayer Introspection When requesting a new slayer assignment, you will have a choice between the minimum and maximum assignment amounts. 4,000 200 Amascut's Enchanted Gem
119 Inspire Awe You will gain 2% more XP when training combat skills. 5,000 250 Helm of Terror

*Requires the previous Hand of Glory to have been created


Relics

Relics are items used on the Monolith at the Archaeology Campus in order to unlock the various Powers listed above. Some Relics are easily received by simply completing Archaeology Collections while others may take several steps in order to create them. Once a Relic is used on the Monolith, the Relic itself is destroyed and cannot be recreated. Note that Relics, and several of their components, are not tradeable and that many of the requirements (excluding those which require completion of Research) can be boosted to obtain the Relic "early".

The section below details how to obtain each Relic as well as any components when necessary. Clicking the Power name will take you to the table above where you can find the effect as well as the associated Level required to obtain, Chronotes to activate a Power, and the Energy used for having the Power active.




Ancient Invention

COMING SOON!



Ancient Summoning

COMING SOON!



Capes of Accomplishment

Archaeology Skill Cape Set

Once you have achieved level 99, you may visit Acting Guildmaster Reiniger to purchase an Archaeology cape for 99,000 Coins.

Archaeology Master Skill

Once you have achieved level 120, Acting Guildmaster Reiniger will sell you the Archaeology master cape for 120,000 Coins.



Discount

Note that as of December 2018, another one of Mod Daze's Easter Eggs have been found. This enables you to purchase a Skillcape for half price (only from Acting Guildmaster Reiniger, not Elen) if you are wearing a Ring of Charos (a). Be aware that "Half price" is 92,000 Coins as the experience at level 92 is approximately half way to level 99.

This Skill Guide was written by 3ter 1 and Chathmurrpau. Thanks to FuzzyJoe162, Sparkly van, Rinarth, and Quick Art for corrections.
This Skill Guide was entered into the database on Tue, Mar 31, 2020, at 03:32:36 PM by 3ter1, and it was last updated on Tue, Jul 25, 2023, at 02:38:51 AM by Chath.

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