Archaeology in RS3

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Archaeology training methods

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Archaeology tutorial

Your best pick at level 1

Levels 1–5Medium effortMembers

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79 of 79

Levels 1–29

8 methods

1–5
Medium effortMembersYou're here
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1. 1Start out by completing the Archaeology tutorial by speaking to Acting Guildmaster Reiniger at the Archaeology Campus.
2. 2Upon completion players will have obtained level 5 Archaeology and should progress to the Kharid-et Dig Site.
1–42
AFKMembersYou're here
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Stormguard Citadel Warforge
At these levels you should aim to obtain all of the artefacts needed and complete all the content listed before moving on, even if you have passed the levels required.
If you are short of the materials required to restore artefacts purchase them on the Grand Exchange.
1. 1At these levels you should aim to obtain all of the artefacts needed and complete all the content listed before moving on, even if you have passed the levels required.
2. 2If you are short of the materials required to restore artefacts purchase them on the Grand Exchange.
3. 3Even if you are not looking to complete all Archaeology related content you should follow the recommendations in this section so that you can unlock the assistant qualification.
4. 4The qualification is required to access the Stormguard Citadel Dig Site, at level 70, and the Warforge Dig Site, at level 76.
5. 5Additionally it is needed to send out teams to complete research, which is recommended as a passive way to gain additional experience.
5–12
Medium effortMembersIn 4 levels
No rate given
1. 1Go to the Kharid-et Dig Site, talk with Dr Nabanik, and view the cutscene.
2. 2Afterwards, walk down the slope, uncover the venator remains, and excavate these.
3. 3They will give damaged venator light crossbows and damaged venator dagger.
4. 4To make a start on the artefact collections, you should save two light crossbows and two daggers after restoring them and hand them in to Soran and Velucia to contribute to their collection logs.
12–17
Medium effortMembersIn 11 levels
No rate given
1. 1At level 12 speak to Dr Nabanik again to receive a damaged centurion's seal and begin the Breaking the Seal mystery.
2. 2Excavate the dirt pile blocking the doorway that leads into the rest of Kharid-et dig site.
3. 3Restore the centurion's seal and click on the excavated door frame to enter Kharid-et - Barracks excavation site.
4. 4Head to the first building on the west side, to find the legionary remains and excavate them.
5. 5To continue with your collection log, you should expect to save two Primis Elementis standards, legionary gladius, and legionary square shields.
6. 6One damaged gladius can be obtained from the Demon Door research mission once you complete your first Archaeology qualification if you prefer.
7. 7While you are excavating at the barracks excavation site (recommended for level 12-24 and 25-28) you will randomly receive custodian's log pages.
8. 8There are a total of four pages to find; once they are discovered you should complete the Prison Break mystery.
9. 9This is the first excavation hotspot at the Kharid-et dig site where you can find pylon batteries while excavating.
10. 10The batteries are used to charge pylons in the main fortress, which gives an amount of Archaeology experience which is dependent on your level and the number of batteries used.
11. 11When the pylons are fully charged, by players contributing batteries across all game worlds, the Protection of Zaros status effect is activated.
12. 12This gives +10% Archaeology experience, +5% mattock precision, an increased chance to obtain tetracompass pieces and complete tomes, and a small chance of finding a piece of the inquisitor staff.
17–24
Medium effortMembersIn 16 levels
No rate given
1. 1At level 17, move to the castra debris located right in front of the sealed door.
2. 2Save two restored Zarosian effigies and Zarosian training dummies for Soran and Velucia.
3. 3Save an additional Zarosian training dummy so that you can unlock Katarina as a researcher for your team once you unlock your research team.
4. 4Alternatively, a damaged Zarosian training dummy can be obtained from the Proving Grounds research mission if you prefer, once you unlock the team.
24–25
Medium effortMembersIn 23 levels
No rate given
You will see a furnace missing three crests of Dagon, which must be replaced to complete the Eyes in Their Stars mystery.
Once you have acquired the required artefacts from lodge art storage, move to the lodge bar storage hotspots in the southern area.
1. 1You will unlock the Infernal Source Dig Site at level 20, but you should stay at Kharid-et until you reach level 24.
2. 2At level 24, go to the Infernal Source Dig Site.
3. 3Upon using the lift, you will find yourself in the Star Lodge cellar.
4. 4You will see a furnace missing three crests of Dagon, which must be replaced to complete the Eyes in Their Stars mystery.
5. 5Three crests of Dagon are needed to complete the mystery.
6. 6Open all of the Star Lodge storage boxes in the area to find one restored crest of Dagon and one damaged crest of Dagon.
7. 7You will also find the books 'Doctrinas Cupidate' and 'Philisophia in Cubiculo' which can be read to gain each and some materials.
8. 8A third crest of Dagon should be found by excavating the lodge art storage hotspots.
9. 9You need another four crests of Dagon for collections (making seven all together), and three 'Disorder' paintings.
10. 10Once you have acquired the required artefacts from lodge art storage, move to the lodge bar storage hotspots in the southern area.
11. 11You need three hookah pipes and four opulent wine goblets for collections.
12. 12An additional restored wine goblet is needed to recruit Dorian to your research team at level 40.
13. 13One damaged goblet can be obtained from the Starry Eyed research mission if you prefer.
14. 14While excavating the lodge art and lodge bar storage you will come across four founder's journal pages; they can only be found at these hotspots.
15. 15Once you have found them all complete the Eyes in Their Stars mystery using the three crests of Dagon you obtained earlier.
25–29
Medium effortMembersIn 24 levels
No rate given
You should now have all the artefacts required to fully complete the Museum - Zarosian I and Zarosian I artefact collections for the first time.
1. 1Head back to the Kharid-et - Barracks excavation site in the main fortress of Kharid-et Dig Site and excavate administratum debris hotspots in the room to the south of the entrance.
2. 2This is the last excavation hotspots where custodian's log pages can be obtained so make sure you have obtained all four of them and completed the Prison Break mystery before moving on.
3. 3You should now have all the artefacts required to fully complete the Museum - Zarosian I and Zarosian I artefact collections for the first time.
29–36
Medium effortMembersIn 28 levels
No rate given
Three greater demon masks, three imp masks, and three lesser demon masks are required to complete collections.
If you walk further forward after completing the Embrace the Chaos mystery you will be greeted by a gargoyle who will prompt the start of the Contract Claws mystery.
1. 1Return to the Infernal Source Dig Site and go to the Dungeon of Disorder area.
2. 2There are bookshelves here which can be searched to obtain the books 'Amor Dente' and 'Malum Infernale' and a cultist chores rota; each of which can be read to gain.
3. 3Excavate the cultist footlocker spots in the south-east corner.
4. 4Three greater demon masks, three imp masks, and three lesser demon masks are required to complete collections.
5. 5One damaged imp mask can be obtained from the Abandon All Hope research mission at level 40.
6. 6While excavating these spots you will accumulate four cultist's diary journal.
7. 7Once you have them all complete the Embrace the Chaos mystery.
8. 8If you walk further forward after completing the Embrace the Chaos mystery you will be greeted by a gargoyle who will prompt the start of the Contract Claws mystery.
9. 9Contract Claws can be completed at this point.

Levels 30–49

6 methods

36–42
Medium effortMembersIn 35 levels
No rate given
1. 1Qualification - Intern
2. 2Archaeology 40
3. 3Mystery Solver I
4. 4Collectors Assemble I
5. 5The Discoverer IV
6. 6The Restorer IV
7. 7Mysterious Monolith: Existence
8. 8Starry Eyed
9. 9The Dark Underbelly
10. 10Abandon All Hope
11. 11Demon Door
12. 12Proving Grounds
42–45
Medium effortMembersIn 41 levels
No rate given
1. 1At level 42 head to the Everlight Dig Site and go through the cutscene.
2. 2Excavate the prodromoi remains; you will need two 'frying pans' and two hallowed lanterns to complete collections, as well as an additional 'frying pan' and two hallowed lanterns to complete mysteries.
3. 3One damaged hallowed lantern can be obtained from the Lions and Unicorns and Centaurs, Oh My!
4. 4Special research mission at level 42 Archaeology.
5. 5While excavating here (or later at monoceros remains from level 48-50) you will accumulate four queen's journal pages and may find icyene remains.
6. 6Once you have all the journal pages you can complete the Queen of the Icyene mystery.
7. 7When the icyene remains are found the Fallen Angels mystery can be completed.
8. 8With level 40 Construction and 10 white marble (unnoted) the Statue of Hebe can be repaired.
9. 9A restored hallowed lantern can then be added to the statue to gain 785 Archaeology experience and some materials.
42–70
Medium effortMembersIn 41 levels
No rate given
This requires spending chronotes, which are tradeable and can be bought from the Grand Exchange.
This qualification is required to access the Orthen Dig Site at level 90.
It is also required to be able to purchase the Archaeologist's outfit and auto-screener v1.080 and to expand the size of your research team.
Finally, you must complete 24 hours worth of research by sending out your team.
1. 1Alongside actively training you should complete the highest level general research available to you as often as you can.
2. 2This requires spending chronotes, which are tradeable and can be bought from the Grand Exchange.
3. 3Even if you are not looking to complete all Archaeology related content you should aim to unlock the associate qualification.
4. 4This qualification is required to access the Orthen Dig Site at level 90.
5. 5It is also required to be able to purchase the Archaeologist's outfit and auto-screener v1.080 and to expand the size of your research team.
6. 6For the associate qualification you need level 70 Archaeology.
7. 7Additionally you will need to complete 5 artefact collections and find and restore 250 artefacts.
8. 8If you have completed all of the content in the level 1-42 section of this guide you will have already completed 4 artefact collections, so you only need to complete one more to meet this requirement if you only wish to complete up to the associate qualification.
9. 9On the other hand you will only have restored 53 artefacts from level 1-42 and will not restore sufficient artefacts by level 70 to unlock the qualification.
10. 10You can prioritise meeting this requirement by returning to a low level spot where artefacts can be uncovered and restored quickly, such as venator remains.
11. 11If you wish to complete collections for a better experience rate you could complete the Zarosian I or Museum - Zarosian I collections, both of which give a 4,271.8 experience completion bonus.
12. 12You also need to complete 10 mysteries.
13. 13If you have completed all of the content in the level 1-42 section of this guide you will have completed 6 mysteries by level 42.
14. 14There are 7 mysteries in the level 42-70 section of this guide which players are recommended to complete in this level range (other mysteries may be completed depending on your luck with obtaining required items, but the named mysteries include those where the highest level hotspot where any required item can be obtained is within this level range).
15. 15You can complete any 4 additional mysteries to meet this requirement.
16. 16Time Served, Fallen Angels, and Dagon Bye can be easily completed without having to obtain special drops.
17. 17Finally, you must complete 24 hours worth of research by sending out your team.
45–47
Medium effortMembersIn 44 levels
No rate given
1. 1Return to the Dungeon of Disorder section of the Infernal Source Dig Site and excavate the dis dungeon debris hotspot.
2. 2This is the last hotspot where the cultist's diary pages can be obtained, so find all of these and complete the Embrace the Chaos mystery before moving on.
47–48
Medium effortMembersIn 46 levels
No rate given
1. 1Go to the Kharid-et Dig Site and enter the Kharid-et - Carcerem excavation site (the prison).
2. 2You will need to complete the Prison Break mystery to enter this area if you have not already done so.
3. 3A restored legatus pendant can be added to the tool belt to allow access to more areas in the carcerem excavation site which are otherwise blocked by the legatus barrier.
48–51
Medium effortMembersIn 47 levels
No rate given
1. 1Return to the Everlight - Mass grave excavation site at Everlight Dig Site.
2. 2Excavate the monoceros remains.
3. 3If you have not already collected the four queen's journal pages and icyene remains, find these and complete Queen of the Icyene and Fallen Angels mysteries before moving on.
4. 4With your fourth Ceremonial unicorn ornament, you can now go find Eduardo (student) in the Varrock Dig Site and have him join your team.

Levels 50–69

15 methods

51–52
Medium effortMembersIn 50 levels
No rate given
1. 1At level 51 switch to the amphitheatre debris excavation hotspots at the Everlight - Amphitheatre excavation site.
2. 2With level 40 Construction and 10 white marble (unnoted) the Statue of Mesomedes can be repaired.
3. 3A restored everlight harp can then be added to the statue to gain 1,278 Archaeology experience and a hand of glory.
52–56
Medium effortMembersIn 51 levels
No rate given
Secrets Of Amberfell
1. 1Visit the Moonrise - Temple periphery excavation site to excavate the Lunar wheel debris excavation site.
2. 2You must complete the Secrets of Amberfell quest to start excavating at the Moonrise Dig Site.
56–58
Medium effortMembersIn 55 levels
No rate given
1. 1At level 56 switch to the ceramics studio debris excavation hotpots at the Everlight - Amphitheatre excavation site.
2. 2You should now be able to fully complete the Museum - Saradominist I and Saradominist I artefact collections for the first time.
58–59
Medium effortMembersIn 57 levels
No rate given
The Vault Of Shadows
1. 1Return to the Kharid-et - Carcerem excavation site and pass through the legatus barrier to excavate the carcerem debris.
2. 2One more 'Incite Fear' spell scroll is required to complete The Vault of Shadows quest.
3. 3An additional restored pontifex signet ring should be added to the tool belt to allow the player to pass through the pontifex barrier to access further excavation hotspots.
4. 4You may also wish to create a pontifex observation ring, which uses another pontifex signet ring.
59–60
Medium effortMembersIn 58 levels
No rate given
1. 1Return to the Moonrise - Temple periphery excavation site to excavate the Arbour rubble.
60–61
Medium effortMembersIn 59 levels
No rate given
80 Crafting
You can obtain the first Inquisitor's Memoirs page from this hotspot; this is required for the Secrets of the Inquisition mystery, a restored funerary urn of shadow is also needed.
1. 1At level 60 you can access the Senntisten Dig Site and excavate the ministry remains at the Senntisten - Cathedral excavation site.
2. 2You can obtain the first Inquisitor's Memoirs page from this hotspot; this is required for the Secrets of the Inquisition mystery, a restored funerary urn of shadow is also needed.
3. 3Ancient glass shards are found while excavating throughout the Senntisten Dig Site.
4. 4These can be used to repair the four broken stained glass windows in the cathedral.
5. 5To fully repair each window 100 ancient glass shards and level 80 Crafting are required.
6. 6Repairing all the windows completes the Pane in the Glass achievement.
61–62
Medium effortMembersIn 60 levels
No rate given
1. 1Return to the Everlight - Dominion Games stadium excavation site and excavate stadio debris.
2. 2While excavating here you will be able to find five athlete's journal pages and complete the Fall and Rise mystery.
3. 3These can also be found later while excavating at other hotspots in the Dominion Games stadium excavation site at level 69 and 100.
62–63
Medium effortMembersIn 61 levels
No rate given
You can obtain the second Inquisitor's Memoirs page from this hotspot; this is required for the Secrets of the Inquisition mystery, a restored funerary urn of smoke is also needed.
1. 1Go to the Senntisten - Cathedral excavation site and excavate the cathedral debris.
2. 2You can obtain the second Inquisitor's Memoirs page from this hotspot; this is required for the Secrets of the Inquisition mystery, a restored funerary urn of smoke is also needed.
3. 3Pages one and two of A critic's review can only be obtained from cathedral debris; these are needed later to complete the Night Theatre mystery.
4. 4You should now be able to complete the Museum - Zarosian V collection for the first time.
63–64
Medium effortMembersIn 62 levels
No rate given
1. 1Move to the Senntisten - Marketplace excavation site at level 63 and collect from the marketplace debris.
2. 2A restored funerary urn of ice is also needed.
3. 3A critic's review (article 4) (for the Night Theatre mystery) and a warning letter (for the Empty Children mystery) can only be obtained from the marketplace debris.
4. 4You should also complete the Complete the Pattern, Solve the Puzzle special research.
64–65
Medium effortMembersIn 63 levels
No rate given
1. 1At level 64 move to the inquisitor remains in the marketplace excavation site.
2. 2A critic's review (article 3) and pages three and four of the Inquisitor's Memoirs can only be uncovered at this excavation hotspot.
3. 3You can complete the Finery of the Inquisition collection at this point.
4. 4You should now be able to complete the Museum - Zarosian VI collection for the first time.
65–66
Medium effortMembersIn 64 levels
No rate given
1. 1At level 65 go to the Infernal Source - Vestibule of Futility south excavation site and excavate at Infernal art.
66–67
Medium effortMembersIn 65 levels
No rate given
1. 1Return to the Senntisten - Marketplace excavation site and begin excavating the gladiator remains.
2. 2At the colosseum gateway use the "enter (non combat)" option.
3. 3While here you can obtain the fourth page of the Inquisitor's Memoirs and progress the Secrets of the Inquisition mystery using a restored funerary urn of blood, along with the three other funerary urns from previous excavation hotspots.
4. 4It is recommended to complete up until the point where the Crossing that Bridge special research is sent out as soon as you can, as this is required to unlock the next excavation site.
5. 5Additionally a scrawled note (for the Empty Children mystery) can only be obtained from this hotspot.
6. 6After this has been obtained the mystery can be completed.
7. 7Return to the Moonrise - Temple periphery excavation site to excavate the Weaver's hut debris.
8. 8You should now be able to fully complete the Guthixian I and Museum - Guthixian I artefact collections.
67–68
Medium effortMembersIn 66 levels
No rate given
1. 1Once you have reached level 67 and have completed the Crossing that Bridge research you can move to the Senntisten - Bridge excavation site.
2. 2Excavate the citizen remains there.
3. 3Pages six and seven of the Inquisitor's Memoirs can only be obtained at this site.
4. 4The eighth page can only be obtained from the ministry remains hotspot after these have been obtained, so you will have to backtrack at this point to find it.
5. 5You can then complete the Secrets of the Inquisition mystery.
6. 6The fifth critic's review article can also only be obtained here, after finding it the Night Theatre mystery can be completed.
7. 7There are four artefact collections which can be completed after this excavation hotspot: Museum - Zarosian VII, Entertaining the Masses, Religious Iconography, and Urns of the Empire.
68–69
Medium effortMembersIn 67 levels
No rate given
You can then complete the Dagon Bye mystery, as it requires having a chaos star but one stored in the tool belt will work.
After completing this mystery you should have completed all the Infernal Source site mysteries and will be able to recruit Movario to your research team.
1. 1At level 68 go to the Infernal Source - Vestibule of Futility north-east excavation site at the Infernal Source Dig Site.
2. 2Excavate the shakroth remains.
3. 3Before handing in the spiked collars you may want to complete the Who's a Bad Boy?
4. 4Achievement; the collar is not consumed while doing so.
5. 5An additional restored chaos star can be added to your tool belt to prevent portals in the area from misfiring.
6. 6You can then complete the Dagon Bye mystery, as it requires having a chaos star but one stored in the tool belt will work.
7. 7After completing this mystery you should have completed all the Infernal Source site mysteries and will be able to recruit Movario to your research team.
69–70
Medium effortMembersIn 68 levels
No rate given
67 Invention
Another dominion torch is required to complete the Hallowed Be. mystery later on.
You can either opt to continue training and unlock the qualification once you hit the required number of artefacts or return to a low level spot where artefacts can be uncovered and restored quickly.
After completing the qualification three material manuals, three hi-spec monocles, three tarpaulin sheets, and three cups of archaeologist's tea may be claimed from Acting Guildmaster Reiniger by talking to her.
1. 1Qualification - Assistant
2. 2Archaeology 70
3. 3Mystery Solver IV
4. 4Collectors Assemble III
5. 5The Discoverer VII
6. 6The Restorer VII
7. 7The Researcher I

Levels 70–89

18 methods

Levels 90+

32 methods

Quests that need Archaeology

0 of 8 at level 1

XP milestones

From 1 to 50: 101,333 XP

Level	Share of 99	Total XP	From last
50		101,333
60		273,742	+172,409
70		737,627	+463,885
80		1,986,068	+1,248,441
90		5,346,332	+3,360,264
92		6,517,253	+1,170,921
99		13,034,431	+6,517,178
110	3.0× 99	38,737,661	+25,703,230
120	8.0× 99	104,273,167	+65,535,506

Full XP table and calculator

Unlocks that need Archaeology

How is your Archaeology?

See your Archaeology level, the XP to your next milestone and the quests it is holding back.

Archaeology training methods

Archaeology tutorial

Levels 1–29

Archaeology tutorial

assistant qualification

Dr Nabanik

damaged centurion's seal

castra debris

Infernal Source Dig Site

Kharid-et - Barracks excavation site

Infernal Source Dig Site

Levels 30–49

sacrificial altar

Everlight Dig Site

general research

Dungeon of Disorder

Kharid-et Dig Site

Everlight - Mass grave excavation site

Levels 50–69

amphitheatre debris

Moonrise - Temple periphery excavation site

ceramics studio debris

Kharid-et - Carcerem excavation site

Moonrise - Temple periphery excavation site

Senntisten Dig Site

Everlight - Dominion Games stadium excavation site

Senntisten - Cathedral excavation site

Senntisten - Marketplace excavation site

inquisitor remains

Infernal Source - Vestibule of Futility south excavation site

Senntisten - Marketplace excavation site

Senntisten - Bridge excavation site

Infernal Source - Vestibule of Futility north-east excavation site

Dominion Games stadium excavation site

Levels 70–89

professor

Stormguard Citadel Dig Site

Everlight - Oikoi excavation site

Daemonheim Dig Site

Kharid-et chapel debris

Moonrise - Temple periphery excavation site

The Wing Out mystery once you have fully upgraded the wingsuit

Daemonheim - Castle excavation site

botanical reserve

The Zamorakian II and Museum - Zamorakian II collections by handing in artefacts to Isaura and Velucia

Moonrise - Temple depths excavation site

The mystery by finding 11 keys throughout the area

Everlight - Oikoi excavation site

Stormguard Citadel - Research & Development north-west excavation site

Kharid-et - Chapel excavation site

Daemonheim - Castle excavation site

Moonrise - Temple depths excavation site

dis overspill

Levels 90+

Big High War God shrine

Orthen Dig Site

The Wise Am the Music Man collection by handing in artefacts to the Wise Old Man

Everlight - Acropolis excavation site

Kharid-et - Culinarum excavation site

Yu'biusk animal pen

Of signs of the porter or magic notepaper is recommended

Orthen - Crypt of Varanus excavation site

Warforge - North goblin tunnels

The Museum - Armadylean II and Armadylean II artefact collections by handing them in to Velucia and Lowse

+

Orthen - Crypt of Varanus excavation site

The research and excavate the kyzaj champion's boudoir hotspots in the Warforge - South goblin tunnels excavation site

Orthen - Observation outpost excavation site

experiment workbench

Stormguard Citadel - Nightguard tower excavation site

The Zamorakian III and Museum - Zamorakian III collections

stockpiled art

Incomplete Portal Network II

Daemonheim - Depths excavation site

The Fragmented Memories mystery

bibliotheke debris

The Red Rum Relics II collection

Stormguard Citadel - Research & Development south-east excavation site

Stormguard Citadel - Howl's workshop excavation site

The Incomplete Portal Network III special research and restore the Orthen teleportation device outside Xolo City