Archaeological site

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This article is for the PC version of Stellaris only.

List of discoveries

Discovery

Anomalies

Archaeological sites

Astral rifts

Archaeological Site

Many chapter rewards are a number of minor artifacts. As these are available only with the Ancient Relics DLC, when that DLC is not enabled, sites which are still available may have an alternate reward or no reward for such chapters.

Most sites have a 67% chance to leave a deposit of minor artifacts when the excavation process is complete. If a minor artifacts deposit is created, its value has an 80% chance of being 1, a 16% chance of of being 2, and a 4% chance of being 3.

Base game sites

The following sites do not require any DLC to be enabled, but Ancient Relics is required to gain minor artifacts from them.

Site	Chapter rewards	Requirements
Message in a Bottle	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50), Shanty on Repeat and Harmonious Crew	On Solar Sails Anomaly Gestalt Consciousness
Message in the Canopy	12x society output (250 ~ 100 000) 12x physics output (250 ~ 100 000) 10 Minor artifact ( 200 Minerals without ) Choice of: Proceed with caution: 20 minor artifacts and Mask of Transformation Uncover the source: 10 minor artifacts, 1000 minerals, and 200 rare crystals	Message in the Canopy colony event
Plentiful Fossils	Choice of 4x (300 ~ 2000) Society output (study) or Unity output (use) Choice of: (Study) +20% progress in Genome Mapping technology – 8x Society output (1000 ~ 10000) if already researched or Machine Intelligence (Use) 2x Society output (100 ~ 1000) and 6x Unity output (400 ~ 3000) Choice of: (Study) +20% progress in Gene Tailoring technology – 8x Society output (1000 ~ 10000) if already researched or Machine Intelligence (Use) 3x Society output (100 ~ 1000) and 8x Unity output (500 ~ 4000) Result depends on number of chosen study options: 2 or more: Gain 25% progress in next society research technology or 24x society output (500 ~ 1 000 000) if all researched. Also gain Harsh Truth empire modifier: −25% species modification cost, +20% Xenophobe ethic attraction Xenophiles can choose to gain Unified Thought empire modifier instead: +10% Governing ethics attraction 1 or less: Gain 4x Society output (100 ~ 1000) and 10x Unity output (600 ~ 5000) Also gain Mysterious Universe empire modifier: +20% Xenophile ethic attraction Xenophobes can choose to gain Unified Thought empire modifier instead: +10% Governing ethics attraction	Habitable planet
Under the Ice	Choice of: 12x engineering output (250 ~ 100 000) Spend 400 energy credits to gain +30% progress in Climate Control Network technology 18x society output (350 ~ 100 000) Choice of: Narrative only Spend 400 energy credits to gain +20% progress in Ocean Ecology Management technology Randomly, one of: 12x alloys output (150 ~ 2000) 12x society output (250 ~ 100 000), plus 6x unity output (100 ~ 100 000) if Authoritarian or Egalitarian +60% progress in Genome Mapping technology, +40% progress in Epigenetic Triggers technology, or 18x society output (350 ~ 100 000) if both researched Gain nothing if Xenophobe Choice of: Frozen Submariners' Legacy empire modifier for 20 years: +20% Colony development speed, −3% Pop amenities usage Following two options only if did not receive Ocean Ecology Management technology or Genetic technology options +30% progress in Subterranean Colonization technology – Does not have Subterranean Colonization technology +60% progress in Railguns technology – Has Coilguns technology, does not have Railguns technology Frozen Submariners' Ingenuity empire modifier for 5 years: +5% Research speed (engineering) – Only option for In Memory of the Frozen Submariners empire modifier for 10 years: +10% Unity – Only option for Memorialists	Frozen Gestalt Consciousness Fanatic Purifiers

Unique systems sites

The following sites can only be found in certain unique systems. Ancient Relics is required to gain minor artifacts from sites even if the site is otherwise available.

Site	Chapter rewards	System	DLC
Abandoned Observation Outpost	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) medium minor artifacts reward (60, 80, or 100) Choice of: Special project to shield planet and gain The Redemption of the Charynoi empire modifier: +10% Unity and +50% resources from observation stations. – Genocidal 24x unity output (350 ~ 1 000 000) If planet is owned by excavator or uncolonized, instead the only option: Gain Bane of the Prophetess empire modifier: +15% Militarist attraction, +5% Ship damage (10% for )	Ophala
Ancient Robot World	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) large minor artifacts reward (100, 200, or 300) and choice of: Change world to Machine world and gain 80 machine pops – only if Machine Intelligence Create a fully upgraded Sentry Array Gain 80 robotic pops across random owned colonies – only if Robotic Workers policy is Allowed Add a 25 alloys deposit on the world – only if Spiritualist Create a Machine Intelligence subject in system, and change world to Machine world with 80 machine pops – only if Spiritualist All options, except for creating the Sentry Array, allow the Unbidden crisis to spawn earlier than the endgame start date with a 50% chance	Ultima Vigilis
Debris Belt	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Science ship scientist gains either: 33% chance – Nothing 33% chance – Maniacal 33% chance – Paranoid Gain the Crystal of Odryskia Relic	Odryskia
Desiccated	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Alternative approach in the Mushroom Picking colony event chain and after 60 days choice of: Mycelial Network empire modifier ( +1 Codebreaking) and +20% Authoritarian Ethics Attraction for 20 years 48x unity output (700 ~ 2 000 000)	Orvall
Moon Base	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and Abandoned Ecumenopolis site spawns in system Also, Ancient Shield Overcharger as research option with +25% progress	Shielded Relic
Abandoned Ecumenopolis	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) large minor artifacts reward (100, 200, or 300) and Miniature Galaxy Relic	Finishing the Moon Base dig site
Never Forget	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) A Life Worthwhile empire modifier ( +5% happiness)	Hauer
One Last Hope	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) medium minor artifacts reward (60, 80, or 100) and randomly gain either: Studying Polarian Seeds empire modifier ( +20% Biology Research Speed) Next habitability technology as research option with at least 60% progress, or 96x society output (2000 ~ 2 000 000) if Machine Intelligence	Polaris
Ruined Star System	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) large minor artifacts reward (100, 200, or 300) and gain either: 80% chance – Next terraforming technology and Shallarian Terraforming Knowledge empire modifier ( +20% speed and −10% cost) 20% chance – Next artificial intelligence technology – always happens if the Fanatic Xenophobe fallen empire does not exist Instead gain 24x unity output (350 ~ 1 000 000) if robotic	Shallash
Ruined World	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Randomly either 18x society output (350 ~ 100 000) or 18x engineering output (350 ~ 100 000) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) large minor artifacts reward (100, 200, or 300) and Omnicodex relic	Omni
The Crashed Ship	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) – without Ancient Relics instead 12x society output (250 ~ 100 000) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) – without Ancient Relics instead 12x society output (250 ~ 100 000) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) – without Ancient Relics instead 12x society output (250 ~ 100 000) Choice of: 24x society output (500 ~ 1 000 000) – only option if Determined Exterminator or Machine Intelligence Randomly: 67% chance to gain a size 25 Gaia world 33% chance to lose approximately 10% of empire pops and spawn a free robotic empire and the choice to switch to play as that empire.	Zevox
The Signal	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) – without Ancient Relics instead 12x engineering output (250 ~ 100 000) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) – without Ancient Relics instead 12x engineering output (250 ~ 100 000) Choice of: 18x engineering output (350 ~ 100 000) and 18x society output (350 ~ 100 000) – only option for Xenophobe or Genocidal Local Hive planet modifier on capital ( +10% Amenities, +10% Planetary build speed, and +10% food from jobs) Larionessi Consciousness unique empire as a vassal	Larionessi Refuge
Tiyanki Grave Mound	12x society output (250 ~ 100 000) 12x society output (250 ~ 100 000) 12x society output (250 ~ 100 000) 12x society output (250 ~ 100 000) Random Outcomes of: 71.5% chance - Core Intact, Choice of: (55% if either ) Dissect – Tiyanki Butcher empire modifier (+10% damage vs Tiyanki) – only if Xenophile Study – 96x society output (2000 ~ 2 000 000) Leave – 48x unity output (1000 ~ 1 000 000) – only if Spiritualist Sell – +5000 Energy – only if met the Curators 28.5% chance – Core Destroyed: (45% if either ) 24x society output (500 ~ 1 000 000)	Tiyun Ort
Vagrosian Ruins	Narrative only Narrative only Narrative only Narrative only Narrative only Narrative only Choose for Keides to remain a scientist or change leader class; remaining a scientist removes all negative traits, changing classes removes all traits. Any choice gives Keides 54000 experience and the Ancestral Inheritance trait	Sursect Can only be excavated by Keides

Origin sites

The following archaeological sites are generated by Origins. Ancient Relics is required to gain minor artifact rewards.

From Gateway Sent

The From Gateway Sent archaeological site is discovered by investigating the special project created by the Galactic Doorstep origin.

Site	Chapter rewards
From Gateway Sent	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and 18x physics output (350 ~ 100 000) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50), 24x engineering output (500 ~ 1 000 000) and special project to gain the Gateway Activation technology.

Homeworld Excavation

The Clone Army origin adds an archaeological site to the homeworld 3 to 5 years after game start

Site	Chapter rewards
Homeworld Excavation	Narrative only 200 Influence and Genetic Crossroads event chain

On the Shoulders of Giants sites

The On the Shoulders of Giants origin adds a lengthy archaeological site chain in the empire home system. The narration of the last two chapters of the final site is random, but the rewards are always the same.

Site	Chapter rewards
Ex Gravitas	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) 6x minerals output (100 ~ 1000) and Something Waiting site location
Something Waiting	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50), random tier 1 technology as research option with 85% progress, and Buried Deep site location
Buried Deep	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50), random tier 1 technology as research option with 85% progress, and In Memoriam site location
In Memoriam	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50), random tier 1 technology as research option with 85% progress, and The Last Stand site location
The Last Stand	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and random tier 1 technology as research option with 85% progress small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and Dark Secret site location
Dark Secret	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50), 24x minerals output (350 ~ 10 000), 18x alloys output (250 ~ 5000), and 18x exotic gases output (250 ~ 5000) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50), Spurred by the Past empire modifier Once the Mid-Game year is reached, an event chain triggers to unlock either Benign Cover-Up or Bury The Hatchet site location
Benign Cover-Up/ Bury The Hatchet	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and Devolving Beam as research option with +25% progress Also, replace Spurred by the Past with: Full Circle empire modifier if Benign Cover-Up Goes Around, Comes Around empire modifier if Bury The Hatchet

First Contact origin sites

The origins Payback and Broken Shackles each have a special archaeological site on their homeworld.

Site	Chapter rewards	Origin
The Aftermath of Battle	12x engineering output (250 ~ 100 000) Choice of: 18x society output (350 ~ 100 000) 12x influence output (80 ~ 175) – Xenophile or Pacifist 12x unity output (150 ~ 100 000) – Only for Xenophile, Pacifist, Memorialists 12x engineering output (250 ~ 100 000) Special project to restore crashed ship as a warship or a habitat
Crashed Slaver Ship	For each stage: Scavengers have a 10% chance to also gain 6x alloys output (100 ~ 1000) Remove a Ship Debris blocker and 12x engineering output (250 ~ 100 000) Remove a Ship Debris blocker and 18x engineering output (350 ~ 100 000) Remove a Ship Debris blocker and gain Research Allocation empire modifier: −15% Engineering from jobs Remove a Ship Debris blocker, Add Quantum Firewalls as a research option with 40% progress, And gain Improved Decryption Processes empire modifier: +1 Codebreaking Remove Research Allocation empire modifier and enables Locate Home Worlds special project If MSI has not been contacted, show galaxy location of MSI, and add MSI located empire modifier for 10 years: +10% Happiness, +10% Unity

Quantum Catapult

The Slingshot to the Stars origin adds an archaeological site in the pulsar system where the ruined Quantum Catapult is located.

Site	Chapter rewards
Quantum Catapult	12x engineering output (250 ~ 100 000) 12x engineering output (250 ~ 100 000) Narrative only 12x engineering output (250 ~ 100 000) Narrative only 48x engineering output (1000 ~ 1 000 000), if finished before 2230 also gives +50% Megastructure build speed for 10 years

Ancient Relics sites

The Ancient Relics DLC adds a large number of archaeological sites to the game.

Site	Chapter rewards	Requirements
Ancient Battle Site	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and 18x society output (350 ~ 100 000) medium minor artifacts reward (60, 80, or 100) and 75% chance of gaining Random Tier 2 Technology 25% chance of 48x society output (1000 ~ 1 000 000)	Uninhabitable planet
Ancient Tomb	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) large minor artifacts reward (100, 200, or 300) and Head of Zarqlan Relic Also gain The Chosen of Zarqlan empire modifier: +10% Spiritualist ethics attraction and can colonize File:Consecrated worlds.png Holy Worlds	Mid-Game Uninhabitable planet Holy Guardians exist
Any Other Rock	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Either: 66% chance: Forced Mindfulness 33% chance: +200 of each strategic resource	Molten
Anyone Home?	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Ancient Refinery as research option with +25% progress and randomly one of: Hostile Environment Adaptation +150 of each strategic resource and 48x society output (1000 ~ 1 000 000) Secrets of Life	Uninhabitable planet
Asteroid Blast Door	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) great minor artifacts reward (500, 750, or 1000) Also, Ancient Target Scrambler as research option with +25% progress	Asteroid
Beautiful Bubble	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Either: 66% chance: 48x society output (1000 ~ 1 000 000) 33% chance: Anthem of Aurora	Uninhabitable planet
Beneath the Waves	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Randomly one of: Atmospheric Filtering Atmospheric Filtering Ecological Adaptation	Ocean
City of Bones	50 Minor artifacts 50 Minor artifacts 48x society output (1000 ~ 1 000 000) and Empire Rewards Deploy Tissue Growth Stimulants decision Empire Rewards medium minor artifacts reward (60, 80, or 100) Construct Fungiform Housing Units decision	Gaia or Dry planet
Crashed Starship	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) large minor artifacts reward (100, 200, or 300) Also, Ancient Pulse Armor as research option with +25% progress	Uninhabitable planet
Déjà Vu Dig	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Randomly one of: Space-Time Theory Subterranean Colonization Tomb World Adaptation	Uninhabitable planet
Dotted Archipelago	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Randomly one of: +250 Exotic gases Vitality Boosters Xenobiology	Ocean
Fossilized Remains	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) large minor artifacts reward (100, 200, or 300) and Blade of the Huntress Relic	Fossils Discovered colony event
Frozen Complex	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Randomly either: 24x society output (500 ~ 1 000 000) Plasma Accelerators technology as research option with 30% progress.	Frozen
Gas Giant Structure	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) medium minor artifacts reward (60, 80, or 100) and 4000 energy Also, Ancient Rampart as research option with +25% progress	Gas Giant
Get Inside	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Randomly one of: Hostile Environment Adaptation Deep Crust Engineering If then Unity of Purpose else Artificial Moral Codes	Uninhabitable planet
Get to the Bottom	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Randomly one of: Ocean Ecology Management and 48x engineering output (1000 ~ 1 000 000) Ecological Adaptation Terrestrial Sculpting	Ocean
Ix Belèn	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and choice of: The Memorex modifier on capital 3500 Alloys and 24x unity output (350 ~ 1 000 000)	Gas Giant near The Endless Expanse
Hidden Worlds	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Choice of: Oracle Unique Leader – Not allowed for All of the following resources: 1000 Alloys 3500 Engineering research 500 Influence (250 if you talk to the Oracle first)	5% chance on clearing one of the following tile blockers Dense Jungle Toxic Kelp Deep Sinkhole Quicksand Basin Noxious Swamp Massive Glacier
Hole in the Ground	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Randomly one of: Advanced Shields tech Deep Core Mining Xenology	Uninhabitable planet
Kleptomaniac Rats	medium minor artifacts reward (60, 80, or 100) medium minor artifacts reward (60, 80, or 100) medium minor artifacts reward (60, 80, or 100) medium minor artifacts reward (60, 80, or 100) large minor artifacts reward (100, 200, or 300) and Shard awakens Defeating Shard grants The Rubricator relic.	Rubricator System spawned in by the Weapon Trails Anomaly
Message in the Dust	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and 1 Corvette (25-75% damaged)	Tomb, Desert, Arid or Savanna
Moon Bump	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Randomly one of: Anti-Gravity Engineering Next colonization technology 500 Alloys	Uninhabitable planet
Mutant Fossils	50 Minor artifacts 50 Minor artifacts Planet gains Mutation Vats Planetary Feature Also, Ancient Nano-Missile Cloud Launcher as research option with +25% progress	Tomb
Planetary Machinery	24x society output (500 ~ 1 000 000) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and 24x society output (500 ~ 1 000 000) 20 Minor artifacts small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) 24x engineering output (500 ~ 1 000 000) and choice of: Special project, after completion gain The Defragmentor relic and planet gains C.A.R.E Interactive Interface modifier: +10% energy from jobs 100 Influence 100 Influence and fight 2 mega-warforms; defeating them grants The Defragmentor relic and 200 Minor artifacts	C.A.R.E. relic world
Popular Rock	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Randomly one of: 24x research output (each 500 ~ 1 000 000) +500 Alloys, +150 Volatile motes and Exotic gases Self-Aware Colony Ships	Asteroid
Relic Rails	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) large minor artifacts reward (100, 200, or 300) and randomly: 83%: medium minor artifacts reward (60, 80, or 100) and +5%[[]] +2%[[]] empire modifier for 12 years – 71.5% if Egalitarian 17%: Narrative only – 28.5% if Egalitarian	Just completed Housing building
Robot Debris	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) medium minor artifacts reward (60, 80, or 100) and 96x engineering output (2000 ~ 2 000 000) Also, Ancient Macro Batteries as research option with +25% progress	Asteroid
Ruined Station	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Choice of: Scientist gains Meticulous Scientist gains Percussive Maintainer small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) large minor artifacts reward (100, 200, or 300) and Rudari Death Laser	Neutron Star or Pulsar
Ruins	Randomly either 24x society output (500 ~ 1 000 000) or 24x engineering output (500 ~ 1 000 000) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and Randomly either 24x society output (500 ~ 1 000 000) or 24x engineering output (500 ~ 1 000 000) medium minor artifacts reward (60, 80, or 100) and 24x society output (500 ~ 1 000 000) Also, Ancient Defensive Web Slinger as research option with +25% progress Also adds level 3 anomaly "Alien Site" to a random body in the same system	Uninhabitable planet
Seeds of Destruction	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and choice of: Sage Rage empire modifier 100 Influence	Crash Site anomaly outcome Gestalt consciousness
Strange Asteroid	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) medium minor artifacts reward (60, 80, or 100) and Ancient Saturator Artillery as research option with +25% progress and randomly one of: 75% chance of gaining Random Tier 2 Technology 25% chance of 48x society output (1000 ~ 1 000 000)	Asteroid
Strange Flows	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Ancient Ruination Glare as research option with +25% progress and randomly one of: Deep Crust Engineering Ion Disruptors Nano-Separators	Molten
Subterranean Hollows	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Hostile Environment Adaptation technology Also, Ancient Driller Drones as research option with +25% progress	Habitable planet
Target from Orbit	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Ancient Suspension Field as research option with +25% progress, and randomly one of: Quantum Energy States 1000 Minerals Xenobiology	Uninhabitable planet
The Echoes Inside	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) 48x society output (1000 ~ 1 000 000)	Barren
The Endless Expanse	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) large minor artifacts reward (100, 200, or 300) and choice of: Ix Belèn site location 500 Influence	Frozen
The Grand Herald	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and Titan (25-75% damaged)	Tomb, Desert, Arid or Savanna
The Library	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) large minor artifacts reward (100, 200, or 300), Remnant of a Remnant event chain leads to nearest Curator station if unmet, And choice of: Killer Microorganism – Pacifist 12x society output (250 ~ 100 000) and +8 research deposit on planet	Barren
Too Angled	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Ancient Cavitation Collapser as research option with +25% progress and one of: 11% chance: Mega Art Installation as research option with +10% progress 44.5% chance: Terrestrial Sculpting 44.5% chance: Mineral Cutting Beams	Uninhabitable planet
Trench World	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Randomly one of: Combat Training and Modern Trench War empire modifier Robotic Workers Climate Control Network	Barren
Weapons Cache	No rewards medium minor artifacts reward (60, 80, or 100) Unique Text if Earth, if or and : 5x alloys output (150 ~ 2000) if or or : medium minor artifacts reward (60, 80, or 100) and 24x unity output Everyone Else: medium minor artifacts reward (60, 80, or 100) and 18x unity output	Terraforming Event
Whispers in the Stone	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) large minor artifacts reward (100, 200, or 300), 500 rare crystals Also, Rare Crystal Manufacturing, and can build Kha'lanka Crystal Plant	Just researched Mineral Isolation Mining District

Precursor sites

Precursor Archaeology Sites are visible only to the empire that starts the event chain and are used to advance the Baol and Zroni event chains. When a Zroni Archaeology Site is discovered, the planet also gains a deposit of 2-4 Zro.

Precursor	Site	Chapter rewards
Baol	Grunur Ruins	50 Minor artifacts 50 Minor artifacts and The Barren site location
	The Barren	50 Minor artifacts 50 Minor artifacts 50 Minor artifacts and The Shattered site location
	The Shattered	50 Minor artifacts 50 Minor artifacts 50 Minor artifacts 50 Minor artifacts and The Silenced site location
	The Silenced	50 Minor artifacts medium minor artifacts reward (60, 80, or 100) and Grunur system location
Zroni	Abandoned Colony Ruins	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and 18x physics output (350 ~ 100 000) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and Zroni Beacon site location Also, Psionic Theory as research option with +25% progress, if not researched Instead, 48x society output (1000 ~ 1 000 000) if researched or Gestalt Consciousness
	Zroni Beacon	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and 18x society output (350 ~ 100 000) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and Zroni Shrine location
	Zroni Shrine	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and Zroni Research Station location
	Zroni Research Station	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and 18x society output (350 ~ 100 000) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and Zroni Core World site location
	Zroni Core World	12x engineering output (250 ~ 100 000) and 18x society output (350 ~ 100 000) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and 18x society output (350 ~ 100 000) medium minor artifacts reward (60, 80, or 100) and Zron system location
	Zron	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and 2 Zro small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and 18x society output (350 ~ 100 000) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and 18x society output (350 ~ 100 000) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50), 5 Zro, and 24x society output (500 ~ 1 000 000) large minor artifacts reward (100, 200, or 300) and Psionic Archive relic

The Sentinels

The Sentinels is an Archaeology Site with slightly different mechanics. It can be discovered after a planet is colonized and adds an archaeological site blocker to the colony.

Site	Requirements
The Sentinels Adds an Archaeological Site feature to the planet	gestalt consciousness 5% chance on clearing one of the following tile blockers Dense Jungle Toxic Kelp Noxious Swamp Massive Glacier
Chapter	Effects
Chapter 1	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Archaeologist Missing event after 30-40 days Scientist leading the site dig goes missing
Chapter 2	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Missing Archaeologist event after 60-90 days Choice to pay 100 Influence and 500 Energy or −3 Clues to save the missing scientist with the Maimed trait after 10-40 days Choice to not "waste time on deserters" to find scientist dead after 60-90 days All choices also give +5 Clues to the archaeology site after finding the scientist
Chapter 3	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Archaeological Site feature gets removed/replaced and Choice of: If : Open the Sentinels carefully Issue a special project to investigate the sentinels, when finished choose between: ? Hear them out: Talk to them and choose between: + Protection: Sentinels feature and gain 9 or 8 defensive Sentinel armies depending on dialog choices ! Claim land: 9 Sentinel armies attack the colony ! Silence them: 9 Sentinel armies attack the colony Leave the Sentinels alone + Sentinels feature + The Sentinels planet modifier If : Destroy the Sentinels Issue a special project to destroy the sentinels: small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) ! When finished 9 Sentinel armies attack the colony Always an Option: Dismantle the statues and salvage the alloy Acts the same as "Open the Sentinels carefully" option listed above The illusion of choice

If any of the outcomes comes to having the 9 Sentinel armies attacking the colony totaling 2350 garrison/army power here are the outcomes of the battle:

• The Sentinels win and seize control of the colony

  The sentinels start purging owners pops

  The planet can be retaken and liberated from the Sentinels (see Sentinels defeated)

  If the pops get liberated before they get fully purged they revive a liberated 30% happiness boost for 10 years

  If the pops are left to be fully purged, the colony gets destroyed and the last pop escapes to a randomly owned planet. Reveals and enables the "Into the Earth" special project above the Sentinel planet. Choice of:

  Put their minds to work with some science: Receive the Ever More Science planet modifier on the capital: +10%

  Modify the Evermore to entertain the masses: Receive the Ever More Joy planet modifier on the capital: −10%, +5%

• The Sentinels are defeated (liberation also applies this)

  Gain the Sentinels Metal feature on the colony

  Defeating the Sentinels also reveals a tomb entrance and choice between:

  • Investigate the entrance Issues special project "Into the Earth". Once completed, choose between:
    • Purge and repurpose: gain

      300 Influence

      Cheap Thrills planet modifier: −10%, +5%

    • Virtual hunting ground: If or gain:

      300 Influence

      Cheap Thrills Evil planet modifier: +10%, +10%, −10%, +5%

    • Replicate the technology: If and gain:

      Issue the "Replicate the Evermore" special project. Gain the Cheap Thrills empire modifier: −10%, +5%

    • Lab rats:

      Gain the The Evermore planet modifier: +10%

  • Seal the entrance

    Gain 150 Influence and conclude the event chain

Other expansion sites

Certain archaeological sites require other DLC to be enabled. Ancient Relics is required to gain minor artifact rewards.

The Broken Gates

The Broken Gates archaeological site can be discovered on any planet that's not a gas giant, asteroid or located in a black hole system. It is not available for Gestalt Consciousness empires.

Site

Chapter rewards

The Broken Gates

small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) and choice of: 18x engineering output (350 ~ 100 000) The Elder One awakens Worship it and gain Eldritch Knowledge empire modifier Attack it and gain 24x influence output (150 ~ 300) Defeating The Elder One starts the Horrific Inverse Mass situation.

Chthonic Siren

If an empire is part of a Research Cooperative, then fully excavating any archaeology site has a 10% chance to start the event chain which reveals this site. Each member of the federation receives the site if a suitable system and planet exists within their borders, otherwise the member is given two special projects to support their federation allies with sites. Federation members can also opt not to participate.

Site	Chapter rewards with Ancient Relics installed	Chapter rewards without Ancient Relics installed
Chthonic Siren	small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Randomly either: small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) medium minor artifacts reward (60, 80, or 100) If first reward in previous stage, small minor artifacts reward (10, 30, or 50) Otherwise, medium minor artifacts reward (60, 80, or 100) medium minor artifacts reward (60, 80, or 100)	12x engineering output (250 ~ 100 000) Randomly either: 12x physics output (250 ~ 100 000) 18x engineering output (350 ~ 100 000) If first reward in previous stage, 12x society output (250 ~ 100 000) Otherwise, 12x engineering output (250 ~ 100 000) 18x society output (350 ~ 100 000)

If all members who opted to participate complete their site or projects, the federation gains +40 cohesion and each member gains 60 minor artifacts and the Genius Caeli: A Time of Knowing empire modifier for 20 years. Otherwise, five years after any member fully excavates their site, if at least one other site is partially excavated or one special project set completed or similar total progress is made, the federation gains +25 cohesion and each member gains 30 minor artifacts and the Genius Caeli: Balanced Prosperity empire modifier for 20 years. If no other site is excavated or special project set completed, the federation gains −20 cohesion and each member gains 10 minor artifact.

Excavation events

At the end of an Excavation phase, if the result is not high enough to grant a Clue or finish the Chapter, then one of the following events may happen:

• Science Ship Scientist dies, −2 Clues
• Archaeology team members die, −1 Clues
• A dangerous situation is avoided, +3 Clues
• Choice to pay 100 Energy to get +3 Clues or do nothing and get −2 Clues
• Science Ship Scientist gains the Maimed trait

References

Game concepts