As the Minecraft update 1.20 release date approaches, developer Mojang is revealing the latest new feature coming in their next major patch. Archeology feels so natural to Minecraft that we’re almost surprised it hasn’t become one of the best sandbox games on PC yet, but that’s all set to change soon.
There is perhaps no activity more synonymous with Minecraft than digging. It’s right there in the name, after all. But minecraft mining has always been a largely destructive process, pounding the earth and emptying entire cave networks as you search for minecraft diamonds and other valuable resources. Even the best Minecraft mods tend to lean towards larger-scale operations, mining entire quarries and digging up large swaths of ground.
Minecraft archeology therefore offers the perfect opportunity to dig in a much more nuanced way; embracing the care and delicacy needed to uncover precious treasures hidden underground. Initially, says Mojang, archaeological dig sites will be limited to deserts, mostly located near desert temples, but more will be added over time.
As you explore, you’ll come across new “suspicious sand” blocks, which you’ll need to get closer to if you want to extract the ancient secrets buried within. To do this, you will use a new tool, the Minecraft brush, which allows you to carefully etch the surrounding material and get the goodies. It can be a wide range of random objects, but Mojang particularly highlights pottery shards.
When you put your hands on a shard of pottery, you will notice patterns painted on it. If you manage to collect four fragments, you will be able to rebuild them into a fully formed decorative planter which can then be placed to spruce up your best Minecraft builds with a historical touch. There are a variety of models to collect, so keep your eyes peeled!
Overall, becoming a Minecraft Archaeologist sounds like a fun way to mix up your exploration and discovery in Minecraft 1.20. Hopefully Mojang will bury even more secrets under the sand for gamers to uncover. If you can’t wait for the full release, Mojang promises you’ll be able to test these features in Minecraft betas and snapshots “very soon.”
Take a look at the best Minecraft seeds in 2023 to set up the perfect world to start digging in. While waiting for the arrival of archeology, find out how to find minecraft bees and harvest honey from them, or discover the minecraft crawler, the new creature that arrives in one of the best games in the open world after winning the crowd vote in 2022.