Cataclysm Classic Archaeology Rewards & Leveling (1-525) (2024)

How to Level Archaeology in Cataclysm Classic From 1-525

Follow these steps to level Archaeology from 1-525 in Cata Classic:

• 1-50: Survey dig sites (1 skill point per fragment). Do not solve Artifacts yet, since surveying stops giving skill points at 50.
• 50-525: Solve Artifacts to level up Archaeology.
  • Common artifact: 5 skill points.
  • Rare artifact: 15 skill points.

Make sure to visit an Archaeology trainer between the following skill levels to be able to continue leveling:

• Skill level 50-75: Journeyman (requires character level 20)
• Skill level 125-150: Expert (requires character level 20)
• Skill level 200-225: Artisan (requires character level 35)
• Skill level 275-300: Master (requires character level 50)
• Skill level 350-375: Grand Master (requires character level 65)
• Skill level 425-450: Illustrious Grand Master (requires character level 75)

Note: Archaeology is already available in the Cataclysm pre-patch that was released on April 30, 2024. In the pre-patch, you can already level Archaeology until 450. As soon as Cataclysm is released on May 20th, 2024, you will be able to level up to the new max level of 525.

How to Survey Dig Sites in Cataclysm Classic

Follow these steps to survey dig sites in Cataclysm Classic:

1. Learn Apprentice Archaeology from an Archaeology trainer in any major city (requires level 20).
2. Open the map, zoom out to the continent level, and find the shovel icons on the map. These mark available dig sites.
   • There are 4 dig sites per continent.
   • The dig sites are player-specific, no one can steal them from you.
   • The dig sites do not despawn until you dig them (not even after a logout or server restart).
   • Each dig site belongs to one of the 9 Archaeology races. The race determines which type of fragments and keystones you’ll get.
3. Enter a dig site zone which is outlined in red on the map.
4. Use Survey (you’ll find it in the profession tab of your spellbook). A telescope with a light will spawn.
5. Look at which direction the telescope is pointing and what color the light is.
   • Red: The Archaeology Fragment is 80 yards or more away.
   • Yellow: The Archaeology Fragment is 40-80 yards away.
   • Green: The Archaeology Fragment is close by (under 40 yards).
6. Move in the direction the telescope is pointing at and use Survey again. Repeat until a fragment appears instead of the telescope.
7. Loot all fragments. The dig site disappears and a new one will be available instead.

You will need the fragments you found to solve artifacts in Cataclysm Classic.

How to Solve Artifact Projects in Cataclysm Classic

The fragments you have found at dig sites are used to solve artifact projects. Each project belongs to one of the 9 Archaeology races. The first project of a race starts once you have looted the first fragment of this race.

To solve an artifact, follow these steps:

1. Collect the required fragments by looting dig sites.
2. Once you have enough fragments, open the Archaeology profession window and click on the blue bookmark.
3. Find the artifact you want to solve.
4. Click the “Solve” button to complete the artifact.

Once you’ve completed an artifact, you will get a reward and be assigned a random new common or rare artifact of that race. In the following table, you can see which archaeology races exist in which zones and which skill level you need.

What Are Keystones in Cataclysm Classic?

When surveying a dig side there is a chance you’ll loot a keystone. Keystones can be used to progress an artifact: they are worth 12 fragments.

You can redeem a keystone by placing it in the slot below the artifact’s progress bar. How many keystones you can use depends on the type of artifact:

• Common artifacts often have one keystone slot.
• Rare artifacts typically have 2-3 keystone slots.

The following keystones are available in Cataclysm Classic:

• Draenei Tome (Draenei)
• Dwarf Rune Stone (Dwarf)
• Highborne Scroll (Night Elf)
• Nerubian Obelisk (Nerubian)
• Orc Blood Text (Orc)
• Tol'vir Hieroglyphic (Tol’vir)
• Troll Tablet (Troll)
• Vrykul Rune Stick (Vrykul)
• There is no Fossil keystone.

When you reach Archaeology skill level 425, a total of nine daily quests become available in some Cata dungeons, e.g. Blackrock Caverns, Halls of Origination, and The Stonecore. To complete these dailies, you need to turn in a specific keystone. Doing so will reward your party with a buff in the dungeon.

Note: Keystones can be sold and bought in the Auction House.

Archaeology Rewards in Cataclysm Classic

Most of the artifacts you solve will reward you with gray items that you can sell. However, there is a chance that you will get a rare artifact rewarding you the following pets, mounts, toys, or BoA items: