Master the Dig: Your Complete Guide to Archaeology in Mists of Pandaria Classic

Archaeology in MoP Classic

Archaeology is a secondary profession first introduced in Cataclysm. Like Cooking, Fishing, and First Aid, it becomes available at level 20. No other profession is required to begin learning it.

As you progress, you can unlock combat and non-combat rewards such as mounts, weapons, pets, toys, and more. For a comprehensive list, see the rewards section below.

Changes in MoP Classic

• Digsites increased to 4, each offering 6 digs (previously 3)

• Maximum skill level raised to 600

• Three new races added: Pandaren, Mogu, and Mantid (Mantid added earlier than original)

• New rewards, daily quests, and Lorewalkers faction

• Restored Artifacts system to help farm older items

Getting Started with Archaeology

Trainer Locations

You can learn Archaeology in the main cities of each faction:

Alliance Trainers

• Diya – The Exodar (34.6, 66.8)

• Doktor Professor Ironpants – Ironforge (75.6, 11.6)

• Hammon the Jaded – Darnassus (43.2, 83.6)

• Harrison Jones – Stormwind (85.6, 25.8)

Horde Trainers

• Adam Hossack – Undercity (76.0, 36.4)

• Belloc Brightblade – Orgrimmar (49.0, 79.6)

• Elynara – Silvermoon City (81.6, 63.8)

• Otoh Greyhide – Thunder Bluff (75.8, 28.0)

Neutral Trainers

• Boduro the Seeker – Shattrath (62.5, 70.2)

• Brita Bramblebrush – Dalaran (48.5, 38.6)

After training, your map will show digsite icons (a shovel symbol). Within a digsite’s highlighted area, you can use Survey to find fragments. The direction and color of the survey tool help guide you:

• Red: Over 80 yards away

• Yellow: 40–80 yards away

• Green: Under 40 yards

Follow the direction shown and dig until the site is complete, then move to the next.

Digsite Races and Locations

Each digsite is tied to a specific race, based on its region. Here's where to find each:

Surveying and Gathering Fragments

Once at a digsite, use your Survey ability. The Survey tool shows a telescope pointing in the direction of the fragment, with the color indicating distance. Continue surveying and moving until you find all three fragment nodes per site.

Light Colors Explained

• Red: Very far from the fragment (over 80 yards)

• Yellow: Medium distance (40–80 yards)

• Green: Nearby (under 40 yards)

Keep digging until the digsite is completed, then move to the next one.

Fragments and Keystones

Each digsite provides fragments tied to a specific race. Occasionally, you'll find keystones—special items that can replace multiple fragments when solving artifacts. Some examples:

• Tol'vir Hieroglyphic: Replaces 12–36 Tol'vir fragments

• Orc Blood Text: Used with Orc artifacts

Leveling Archaeology Fast

Skill Gains by Activity

• +1 skill per successful Survey

• +5 skill per common artifact solved

• +15 skill per rare artifact solved

Bonus for Dwarves

Dwarves have the racial Explorer, which replaces Find Treasure. It grants extra fragments and faster surveys.

Archaeology Artifact Rewards

Draenei

• The Last Relic of Argus (130 fragments, skill 300)

• Arrival of the Naaru (Toy, 124 fragments, skill 300)

Dwarf

• The Innkeeper’s Daughter (Toy, 150 fragments, skill 150)

• Staff of Sorcerer-Thane Thaurissan (Staff, 150 fragments, skill 450)

Fossil

• Fossilized Raptor (Mount, 100 fragments, skill 150)

• Pterrordax Hatchling (Pet, 120 fragments, skill 525)

Nerubian

• Puzzle Box of Yogg-Saron (Toy, 140 fragments, skill 375)

Night Elf

• Tyrande’s Favorite Doll (Trinket, 150 fragments, skill 450)

• Wisp Amulet (Toy, 150 fragments, skill 450)

Mantid

• Mantid Sky Reaver (Sword, 180 fragments, skill 525)

Mogu

• Anatomical Dummy (Toy, 180 fragments, skill 525)

Orc

• Headdress of the First Shaman (Mail Head, 130 fragments, skill 300)

Pandaren

• Umbrella of Chi-Ji (Off-hand, 180 fragments, skill 525)

Tol'vir

• Scepter of Azj’Aqir (Mount, 150 fragments, skill 450)

• Canopic Jar (Misc., 45 fragments, skill 525 – may contain Vial of the Sands recipe)

Troll

• Zin’rokh, Destroyer of Worlds (2H Sword, 150 fragments, skill 450)

Vrykul

• Vrykul Drinking Horn (Toy, 100 fragments, skill 375)

Target Farming with Restored Artifacts

At skill 600, solve common Pandaria artifacts to get Restored Artifacts instead of vendoring them. These can be traded to Brann Bronzebeard at the Seat of Knowledge (above Mogu’Shan Palace) for:

• Crates of race-specific Archaeology fragments (5–10 each)

• Chance of a keystone

This is the most efficient way to target farm legacy rewards, including rare drops like the Vial of the Sands recipe from Tol’vir crates.