Retail · Archaeology 1–950
Updated 21 October 2026

Archaeology keeps one cumulative skill bar, unlike the separate expansion bars used by most Retail professions. Its latest research groups are Drust and Zandalari from Battle for Azeroth; there is no separate Midnight Archaeology track.

Leveling Archaeology

Learn Archaeology, visit the shovel markers on your continent map, and use Survey inside each dig site. Follow the instrument’s direction until a find appears. Collect fragments, then solve the current artifact in the Archaeology journal. Continue surveying and solving while training higher ranks as needed.

Gathering fragments

Choose fragment sources by research group. Dig sites are personal, so another player cannot take your find. Clear a site to reveal a new one; specific rare artifacts depend on random project selection.

References: Warcraft Wiki