As the release date of the Minecraft 1.20 update approaches, developer Mojang is introducing a new feature that will come with the next major patch. Archeology seems so natural to Minecraft that we're almost shocked that it still hasn't made it into one of the best sandbox games on PC, but that's about to change.
Perhaps there is no more synonymous activity in Minecraft than digging. After all, it's right there in the title. But mining in Minecraft has always been a largely destructive process, breaking through the ground and excavating entire networks of caves in search of diamonds and other valuable resources. Even the best Minecraft mods lean towards even bigger operations, mining entire quarries and carving out vast tracts of land.
Archeology in Minecraft provides the perfect opportunity to dig more subtly, with the care and delicacy required to uncover precious treasures hidden underground. According to Mojang, at first archaeological sites will be limited to deserts - they will mostly be located near desert temples, but over time there will be more of them.
As you explore, you'll come across new blocks of "suspicious sand" that you'll need to approach with a light touch if you want to extract the ancient secrets buried within. To do this, you'll use a new tool, the Minecraft Brush, which will allow you to carefully etch the surrounding material and get your hands on the goodies. These can be a variety of random items, but Mojang particularly highlights pottery shards.
Picking up a shard of ceramics, you will notice the patterns drawn on it. If you manage to collect four shards, you can restore them into a fully formed decorative pot, which can then be placed on the ground to give your best Minecraft buildings a historical touch. There are a range of designs to collect, so be on the lookout!
In general, become an archaeologist in Minecraft sounds as a fun way to add variety to exploration and discovery in Minecraft 1.20. Hopefully Mojang will bury even more cool secrets under the sand for players to discover. If you just can't wait for the full release, Mojang promises you'll be able to try out these features in Minecraft betas and snapshots "very soon."
Recommended:
