Archaeology

Archaeology is an upcoming mechanic that allows the player to find history. This mechanic was originally intended to be part of the Caves & Cliffs update, but it has been delayed multiple times until 1.20.

Discovering artifacts
By using a Brush on Suspicious Sand at desert pyramids and desert wells, players can obtain artifacts and other loot, such as Gunpowder, Emeralds, and Pottery Shards. If the player breaks or drops a block of suspicious sand, they permanently break these artifacts. Pottery Shards can be used to add decoration to Decorated Pots.

Blocks

 * Decorated Pot (E) JE1.png
 * Can be crafted with any 4 pottery shards or brick items, shaped rhombic.
 * The type of crafting material decides which picture would occur on the certain side of the crafted decorated pot.
 * The possibile pictures are decided by the type of pottery shard which is used to craft.
 * The brick item will not have a picture.
 * Very fragile, and very easy to break it:
 * Will broke apart into its crafting materials when breaking it using any block-breaking tool.
 * Will drop itself when breaking it using empty hand.


 * Suspicious Sand JE1 BE1.png
 * Generates in desert temples and desert wells.
 * Brushing the suspicious sand with a brush will extract objects.

Items

 * Brush JE1 BE1.png
 * An item which can be used to brush things.
 * Can be crafted with 3 string and 2 sticks, like the shape of crafting pickaxes.


 * Pottery Shard (Archer) JE1.png Pottery Shard (Arms Up) JE1.png Pottery Shard (Prize) JE1.png Pottery Shard (Skull) JE1.png
 * They have pictures on them.
 * They cannot be crafted and are only found by brushing suspicious sand.

Gameplay

 * The player can find items in Suspicious Sand inside a desert pyramid or desert well by using the brush.
 * In desert pyramids, Suspicious Sand can contain a Pottery Shard, TNT, Gunpowder, an Emerald, or a Diamond.


 * In desert wells, Suspicious Sand can contain a Pottery Shard, a Brick, an Emerald, a Stick, or Suspicious Stew.

Structures

 * Excavation Site
 * Seen during the Minecraft Live 2020 stream.
 * Consists of wool tents and a large pit containing rubble.

Issues
Issues relating to "Archaeology" are maintained on the bug tracker. Report issues there.