A guide to Archaeology.

[Sottaly]

To start off, Archaeology is a very time consuming profession, but it can also be a very profitable profession. Remember to have patience while you're doing this. I heavily suggest either watching movies that you have, or watching Netflix. Hell you could even read a book if it suits you. The point is, have something to do. Otherwise you'll burn out. Also you need Cataclysm to train Archaeology.


Starting out: When you learn Archaeology you are given two new "spells". Both are self explanatory. Survey - Red = Far 80 yards +, Yellow = Medium 41-80 yards, Green = Close 6-40 yards. Under that the artifact will be revealed. Every dig site has 3 artifacts, When you loot an artifact, you get 2x Shards at Apprentice 75, and 3x Shards Journeyman 125 each artifact after 227 you get 3-6 of the selected artifact.






You're immediately able to start digging for either Troll(EK), Night Elf(Kalimador), Dwarf(EK), or Fossil(Both) artifacts. Dig sites are represented by little shovels on your world map



Now you have to decide, which rares do you want to start working towards?

The Night Elves have a hefty seven rares which are -
Highborne Soul Mirror - Creates a mirror image of yourself.
Druid and Priest Statue Set - Green beam around you.
Queen Azshara's Dressing Gown - Level 51 caster robe
Bones of Transformation - Turns you into a Naga.
Tyrande's Favorite Doll - Very nice Caster Trinket.
Kaldorei Wind Chimes
- Creates a small chime.
Wisp Amulet - Turns you into a wisp.

The Dwarfs have 4 rares which are:
Clockwork Gnome
- Small non-combatant pet.
The Innkeeper's Daughter - Basically a hearthstone with flavor text.
Chalice of the Mountain Kings- Creates 4 Dwarves who dance.
Staff of the Sorceror-Thane Thaurissan - A very nice 85 staff. Need 425 skill to create.

The Trolls have 3 rares, they are:
Zin'rokh, Destroyer of Worlds -Great 2 hand sword.
Voodoo Figurine - Small non-combatant pet.
Haunted War Drum - Plays troll music.

And lastly, 5 rare Fossils. Which are :
Ancient Amber - Traps you in Amber.
Pterrordax Hatchling - Non-combatant pet.
Fossilized Hatchling - Non-combatant pet.
Fossilized Raptor - Ride-able dead raptor.
Extinct Turtle Shell - Great tanking shield.


So you've picked the rare you want right? Good. Start going around the Continent you picked and start digging. Don't solve anything until 50 points in Arch. That's when dig site skill ups stop and you have to craft for them. A good way to cut down on travel times is by using the portals in Orgrimmar & Stormwind to go to Ulduar and Hyjal in Kalimador, or Twlight Highlands & the Horde Zepplin in Eastern Kingdoms. Almost all your first solves will not result in rares, but don't get discouraged. Eventually they'll start popping up. Every solved item will give you 5 points and rares give 15.

Sooner or later you'll hit 300 which opens up Outlands and 2 new races to dig for. You don't have to dig for them. I never did. The Orcs and Draenei.



Orcs just have 1 rare and that is the Headdress of the First Shaman
- A neat little helmet that gives you far seeing on use and some stats for a 61.


The Draenei have 2 rare items which are:

Arrival of the Naaru - Holographic recording.

The Last Relic of Argus - Transports you to a random location.

Now you're 375 and have (hopefully) gotten a rare or two to keep you motivated. At 375 Northrend opens and so do two new races. The Nerubians and the Vrykul.



The Nerubians have 2 rares. They are :
Blessing of the Old God - Turns you into a green battle tank.
Puzzle Box of Yogg-Saron
- Whispers to you on use!

The Vrykul have 2 rares aswell. They are:

Nifflevar Bearded Axe - level 71 1h axe.
Vrykyl Drinking Horn - Gives Vrykul helmet and makes you bigger.


Finally at 450 you unlock the final race and in my opinion, the one with the best stuff. But they can only be dug from Uldum. The Tolvir! With a good six rares which are:

Crawling Claw - Crawling hand. Non-combatant pet.
Scepter of Azj'Aqir - A battle tank for those of us who missed AQ gate opening.
Staff of Ammunae - 85 healing staff.
Pendant of the Scarab Storm - Summons a semi circle of scarabs.
Ring of the Boy Emperor - Caster ring.
Scimitar of the Sirocco - DPS 1h sword.
IMPORTANT IF ALCHEMIST: The Tolvir artifacts also drops Canopic Jars which contain Recipe: Vial of the Sands


While you're digging up artifacts, you'll be getting Keystones which correspond to the races solves. You can use them to prematurely solve puzzles, or save them and sell them on the AH. Most go for 10-50g(Depends on server economy). I've even had the Tol'vir Keystones go for 500g+. Alternatively they can be used for herioc dungeon buffs.

DO NOT DELETE YOUR GRAYS
Most of the grays sell from 1-50g. Noteable Grays are:
Silver Scroll Case
] -200g
Word of Empress Zoe -375g
Cat Statue with Emerald Eyes -100g
Chest of Tiny Glass Animals -100g
Imprint of a Kraken Tentacle -200g
Scepter of Nekros Skullcrusher -80g

I'm going to bed and will check back in the morning. Tell me if there's anything that needs to be fixed.

[Wetop]

So where did you copy this from? Using old Wowhead links (cata.wowhead.com) means it's most likely taken from some other site that hasn't updated it in a while...

[Bearshark]

If it's not from Mmowned, its fine.

[Sottaly]

So where did you copy this from? Using old Wowhead links (cata.wowhead.com) means it's most likely taken from some other site that hasn't updated it in a while...

This is all my original work. my best guess for why it's saying cata.wowhead is because when I was putting the items into links I would right click - copy location on the item iteslf.

[abhorsenjay]

Though I am I already very familiar with Archaeology, +Rep anyway, it looks like you put some effort in.