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Let's talk about Archeology!

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Archaeology is coming to Minecraft in update 1.20, and you can try it out right now in Java snapshot and as an experimental feature in Bedrock!

This new system has several components, introducing a new craftable item (the brush) and new blocks (suspicious sand and decorative pots), as well as changes to desert temples and wells. You can read more about how it all works in the changelogs linked below. 

We're still developing archeology, so your thoughts and feedback are greatly appreciated as work continues in the lead-up to the final 1.20 release. Let us know what you think in the comments! 

How to test new Minecraft Features: 
https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/testing-new-minecraft-features

Latest Changelogs:

You can find all previous changelogs in the Knowledge Base in the "Beta Information and Changelogs" category.

 

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  • 5
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    As ocean ruins have prismarine and sea lanterns, uncovering prismarine pieces from gravel should happen as well.

  • 3
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    After playing the April Fools snapshot today, I had an idea. What if rubies were added into the base game, but they were only accessible through Archy? Rubies wouldn't necessarily have a direct use so that it wouldn't disrupt the armor/tool tier system, but would rather serve as a trophy item (which I believe we could use more of, the shards are a step in the right direction). Perhaps a use for them could be added later on.

  • 3
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    I think it could be quite cool if the new pots allowed you to hide items inside of them, and then break them open like the Legend of Zelda. While it would be nice to hide multiple items inside, if this was limited to one item the player could quite easily insert it into the center of the crafting recipe, allowing for any singular item to be stored inside of the pot itself. When placed, it would not have a UI, and would have to be smashed open by the player. Might make for cool mechanics on servers, or in minigames and so on.

    If bundles are ever reintroduced, they might also go well with pots to store multiple items inside of them.
    Just some ideas.

  • 1
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    I like using the idea of clay pots as decorative blocks but it would be much better if they could be dyed/painted. Say perhaps, by combining a dye with a bucket of water to get paint and then using a crafting table with the paint and clay pot to get the colour variant!

  • 3
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    Hi! I'm very excited about archaeology in minecraft! I would love it if you would add underground statues with suspicious sand or gravel (like buried treasures). And you could find them like buried treasures or woodland mansions: You may add an archaeologist villager! He could sell brushes and maps (to find these satues), buy pottery shards and stuff like that!

  • 1
    Registered User commented
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    If you ask me it changes the feel of the structures too much, but otherwise it seems good.

  • 1
    Registered User commented
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    Voltem com o antigo visual do pincel

  • 2
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    Every regular sand and gravel block should have the possibility of dropping loot when brushed. Having to craft an entirely new tool just to farm specific blocks feels a bit lacking, we should be able to explore beaches and deserts to see what's lying around. The treasure doesn't have to be nearly as good as suspicious sand treasure, maybe just sticks and used armor and old books, but it would definitely be a relaxing way to pass the time and find cool stuff. 

    Besides, archaeology in real life involves randomly picking a spot to dig in. There is no "suspicious sand" that archaeologists know to dig for, otherwise it would be easy!

  • 2
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    The fact that pots aren’t instantly breakable is a barrier to the authentic feel of exploring. There is no “plunder” if pots have to broken slowly with a tool. Imagine instamining pots with any level axe, pickaxe, shovel, sword, hoe. Also there must be a way to store items in them. I feel like brushes shouldn’t be craftable as there is an entire recipe with niche materials for a niche item that gets barely used. Instead it should be sold by certain villagers giving the brush an exclusive feel and adding lore to the villagers.

  • 2
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    Brush being craftable is odd. A niche item with low durability crafted with niche materials. How about being traded for with villages using emeralds. Give villagers more lore and exclusivity. And make them found in abandoned mineshafts, dungeons, and other structures.

  • 2
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    the size of the brush must be changed to the same size as a goat's horn, as it looks like a sword it is so big

  • 6
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    I just thought of it, successfully brushing and item should give the player xp

  • 1
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    It would be nice to have a way to break pots back into sherds (someone mentioned maybe by dropping them?). Otherwise I feel like I'll just hoard my sherds and be too afraid to make pots.

  • 3
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    I am loving the new archeology sites and the new type of "careful" game play they introduce. I like how if a suspicious block falls it will break what is inside. and I like the slow speed of the brushes "mining". things that I think could further this new gameplay might include:-

    -just like crops if you land on a suspicious block it gets destroyed (stomping around a dig site is bad)

    -the slower you brush the suspicious blocks the better chance of getting an item out of it

    More dig sites should be added to already existing types of structures

    -villages should have grave yards you can dig up (maybe that's messed up, but I love it!)

    -strongholds could have a collapsed room with suspicious gravel

    Archeology should integrate into existing lore and be present in the locations we are familiar with.

    Lastly, the excitement factor of the archeology drops. Spending all the time to find a site and then getting sticks and coal is a real let down... and getting a diamond is nice but these types of items are ultimately common. The archeology experience should have some unique aspects:

    -decorative artifacts that can go into your base, but a full set of three? can craft a totem

    -have an intact pot that if mined can drop any item normally obtainable in the game

    I know this sounds broken but there are a lot of items in the game and it supports the lorefulness of these ancient sites being made by other players from long ago (why else do zombies look like steve?)

     

  • 1
    Registered User commented
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    Hello. I believe that more artifacts could be found in the suspicious sand and gravel. Like carved stones, sculptures, paintings, fossils, carved wood. All of them could be used as decoration. Perhaps fossil bones could be combined and reconstruct a dinosaur skeleton

  • 3
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    i gave an idea, I was thinking maybe decorated pots could hold 2 tall plants?

     

  • 2
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    I think tales&trails/archeology would be a great opportunity to do even more with fossils. It could implement more generalized lore of other ancient creatures that were alive before and during the time of the sniffers! Having suspicious sand/gravel or little sites where the skeletal structures are partially exposed to dig out ant whatnot, I just feel it really connects with the theme.

  • 2
    Registered User commented
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    The sound of brushing was recently changed to be slower/less frequent, but this means it no longer aligns with the brushing animation on-screen. I really enjoyed the aural feedback of the faster brushing, but if the slower brushing has to be here to stay, then the animation should be slowed to match.

    I also tried to place tall flowers in regular pots, but found I couldn't. Currently, any Decorated Pots I've made just sit around my base. I'd love to be able to place two-tall flowers in them, like the lilac.

  • 1
    Registered User commented
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    One of the best additions could be an Archaeology vilager, and maybe some palaentology mixed in aswell, and being able to find fossils! Maybe some more soils could do aswell

  • 1
    Registered User commented
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    There should be an enchantment for brushes similar to looting, where you get an increased chance of finding rare items when brushing suspicious blocks. It could be called, lucky explorer, like the name of the enchantment from Minecraft Dungeons.

  • 2
    Registered User commented
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    Please give pots a function. I suggest as unique storage.

    Pots should hold one item stack but no inventory UI. You put items in by right clicking them on the pot or using hoppers or dispensors. You can remove items using hoppers or breaking the pot.

    The benefits are:
    -unique function for redstone devices like item filters
    -map makers can hide loot in smashables like any adventure game
    -thematic function for decorative item in builds

  • 0
    Registered User commented
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    Il y a larquéologie mais la paléotologie serai plus intérésante!!!

  • 0
    Registered User commented
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    In archaeology pottery fragments are called sherds and not shards. 

  • 1
    Registered User commented
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    The ability to dye pots

  • 0
    Registered User commented
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    Please add custom decorative pot designs for datapacks

     

  • 0
    Registered User commented
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    Suspicious dirt would be a nice addition to the structures. Also, possibly suspicious blocks in jungle temple, strongholds, ancient cities, mineshafts, dungeons, and maybe even the ocean monument? 

  • 0
    Registered User commented
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    Goofy idea, but what if we could find books, with words written on them in -inset language- and standard galactic, reading phrases and strange diary entries on them. Incredibly goofy idea, but what if we could also find lyrics for the relic disc, or any of the other music discs?

  • 0
    Registered User commented
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    This feature is literally a mod that some dev shoehorned into the mainline game. It is almost completely insulated from the rest of the game. There should be an option to straight up disable it tbh.
    I'm kinda disappointed this got added as a mainline feature instead of almost any other suggestion on this site.

  • 0
    Registered User commented
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    To be honest, I couldn't be bothered with archeology. Maybe besides the armor trims (for the drip), I just don't see much value in the activity.

    The loot is just so random and uninteresting, where much of it can be obtained in other more efficient ways, what of it that is unique, just doesn't seem worth the time, unless you are really into pottery.

    I feel like archeology need more valuable loot (something that affects gameplay), and the dig sites should contain some opposition (you gotta prepare more than a brush).

  • 2
    Registered User commented
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    Archaeology should be modified to include things like fossils, and purely decorative artifacts for a museum. It would be much cooler if there where items whose only purpose was for hanging on item frames, it would give more use to the suspicious sand and make the update feel more complete.