An ancient city is a palatial structure found in deep dark biomes at layer -52, harboring chests containing items that cannot be found anywhere else or that help a player avoid a warden.
Structure
Environment aesthetics
An ancient city features a very large palace that stretches throughout a deep dark biome. The palace is made up of long corridors with some rugs made of blue, light blue and cyan wool or carpet floors to prevent vibrations as well as some smaller ruins off to the side of the main corridors, which contain between one or two loot chests. The city has statues and the center features a frame resembling a warden's head, where there are reinforced deepslate blocks, which is an unobtainable material in Survival mode. Other unique blocks such as soul lanterns and candles as well as different forms of deepslate and sculk can be found here.
File structure
All ancient city structures found below are located in the folder client.jar/data/minecraft/structures/ancient_city.
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Entrance
Center
The specific instructions are: Isometric images of structures
Redstone circuits
Underneath the frame at the city center lies a series of hidden rooms with naturally generating redstone circuitry, such as piston doors and logic gates. The secret entrance is located at the base of the structure, in front of the frame. There is a sculk sensor above it. Each variant of the city center uses a different redstone circuit to conceal the entrance. Sometimes there is a block of chiseled deepslate in front of the frame, while at other times, there can be a chest or a set of walls in front of the frame.
Ruins
The specific instructions are: Isometric images of structures
Walls
The specific instructions are: Isometric images of structures
Blocks
Loot
The loot in the chests includes several useful items for exploring the ancient city, such as snowballs and the Swift Sneak enchantment, as well as items that can't be found anywhere else, such as echo shards. In Java Edition, each ancient city chest contains items drawn from 2 pools, with the following distribution:
| Item | Stack Size [A] | Weight [B] | Chance [C] | Avg. per chest [D] |
Avg. # chests to search [E] |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5–10× | 1× | 5–10× | 1× | ||||
| Nothing[F] | — | 1 | — | 75⁄80 | 93.8% | 0.938 | 1.1 |
| Coal | 6–15 | — | 7⁄86 | — | 46.5% | 6.410 | 2.1 |
| Bone | 1–15 | — | 5⁄86 | — | 35.9% | 3.488 | 2.8 |
| Soul Torch | 1–15 | — | 5⁄86 | — | 35.9% | 3.488 | 2.8 |
| Book | 3–10 | — | 5⁄86 | — | 35.9% | 2.834 | 2.8 |
| Potion of Regeneration | 1–3 | — | 5⁄86 | — | 35.9% | 0.872 | 2.8 |
| Enchanted Book[G] | 1 | — | 5⁄86 | — | 35.9% | 0.436 | 2.8 |
| Disc Fragment (5) | 1–3 | — | 4⁄86 | — | 29.8% | 0.698 | 3.4 |
| Amethyst Shard | 1–15 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 2.093 | 4.3 |
| Glow Berries | 1–15 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 2.093 | 4.3 |
| Sculk | 4–10 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 1.831 | 4.3 |
| Candle | 1–4 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 0.654 | 4.3 |
| Bottle o' Enchanting | 1–3 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 0.523 | 4.3 |
| Sculk Sensor | 1–3 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 0.523 | 4.3 |
| Enchanted Book[H] | 1 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 0.262 | 4.3 |
| Enchanted Iron Leggings[I] | 1 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 0.262 | 4.3 |
| Sculk Catalyst | 1–2 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.262 | 6.2 |
| Compass | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Music Disc (13) | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Music Disc (cat) | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Lead | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Name Tag | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Saddle | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Damaged Enchanted Diamond Hoe[J][K] | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Diamond Horse Armor | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Enchanted Diamond Leggings[J] | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Enchanted Golden Apple | 1–2 | — | 1⁄86 | — | 8.4% | 0.131 | 11.9 |
| Music Disc (otherside) | 1 | — | 1⁄86 | — | 8.4% | 0.087 | 11.9 |
| Ward Armor Trim Smithing Template | — | 1 | — | 4⁄80 | 5.0% | 0.050 | 20.0 |
| Silence Armor Trim Smithing Template | — | 1 | — | 1⁄80 | 1.2% | 0.013 | 80.0 |
In Java Edition 1.20.2, each ancient city chest contains items drawn from 2 pools, with the following distribution:
| Item | Stack Size [A] | Weight [B] | Chance [C] | Avg. per chest [D] |
Avg. # chests to search [E] |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5–10× | 1× | 5–10× | 1× | ||||
| Nothing[F] | — | 1 | — | 71⁄80 | 88.8% | 0.887 | 1.1 |
| Coal | 6–15 | — | 7⁄86 | — | 46.5% | 6.410 | 2.1 |
| Bone | 1–15 | — | 5⁄86 | — | 35.9% | 3.488 | 2.8 |
| Soul Torch | 1–15 | — | 5⁄86 | — | 35.9% | 3.488 | 2.8 |
| Book | 3–10 | — | 5⁄86 | — | 35.9% | 2.834 | 2.8 |
| Potion of Regeneration | 1–3 | — | 5⁄86 | — | 35.9% | 0.872 | 2.8 |
| Enchanted Book[G] | 1 | — | 5⁄86 | — | 35.9% | 0.436 | 2.8 |
| Disc Fragment (5) | 1–3 | — | 4⁄86 | — | 29.8% | 0.698 | 3.4 |
| Amethyst Shard | 1–15 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 2.093 | 4.3 |
| Glow Berries | 1–15 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 2.093 | 4.3 |
| Sculk | 4–10 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 1.831 | 4.3 |
| Candle | 1–4 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 0.654 | 4.3 |
| Bottle o' Enchanting | 1–3 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 0.523 | 4.3 |
| Sculk Sensor | 1–3 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 0.523 | 4.3 |
| Enchanted Book[H] | 1 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 0.262 | 4.3 |
| Enchanted Iron Leggings[I] | 1 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 0.262 | 4.3 |
| Sculk Catalyst | 1–2 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.262 | 6.2 |
| Compass | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Music Disc (13) | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Music Disc (cat) | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Lead | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Name Tag | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Saddle | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Damaged Enchanted Diamond Hoe[J][K] | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Diamond Horse Armor | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Enchanted Diamond Leggings[J] | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Enchanted Golden Apple | 1–2 | — | 1⁄86 | — | 8.4% | 0.131 | 11.9 |
| Music Disc (otherside) | 1 | — | 1⁄86 | — | 8.4% | 0.087 | 11.9 |
| Enchanted Book[L] | — | 1 | — | 4⁄80 | 5.0% | 0.050 | 20.0 |
| Ward Armor Trim Smithing Template | — | 1 | — | 4⁄80 | 5.0% | 0.050 | 20.0 |
| Silence Armor Trim Smithing Template | — | 1 | — | 1⁄80 | 1.2% | 0.013 | 80.0 |
In Bedrock Edition, each ancient city chest contains items drawn from 2 pools, with the following distribution:
| Item | Stack Size [A] | Weight [B] | Chance [C] | Avg. per chest [D] |
Avg. # chests to search [E] |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5–10× | 1× | 5–10× | 1× | ||||
| Nothing[F] | — | 1 | — | 75⁄80 | 93.8% | 0.938 | 1.1 |
| Coal | 6–15 | — | 7⁄86 | — | 46.5% | 6.410 | 2.1 |
| Bone | 1–15 | — | 5⁄86 | — | 35.9% | 3.488 | 2.8 |
| Soul Torch | 1–15 | — | 5⁄86 | — | 35.9% | 3.488 | 2.8 |
| Book | 3–10 | — | 5⁄86 | — | 35.9% | 2.834 | 2.8 |
| Potion of Regeneration | 1–3 | — | 5⁄86 | — | 35.9% | 0.872 | 2.8 |
| Enchanted Book[G] | 1 | — | 5⁄86 | — | 35.9% | 0.436 | 2.8 |
| Disc Fragment (5) | 1–3 | — | 4⁄86 | — | 29.8% | 0.698 | 3.4 |
| Amethyst Shard | 1–15 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 2.093 | 4.3 |
| Glow Berries | 1–15 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 2.093 | 4.3 |
| Sculk | 4–10 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 1.831 | 4.3 |
| Candle | 1–4 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 0.654 | 4.3 |
| Bottle o' Enchanting | 1–3 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 0.523 | 4.3 |
| Sculk Sensor | 1–3 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 0.523 | 4.3 |
| Enchanted Book[H] | 1 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 0.262 | 4.3 |
| Enchanted Iron Leggings[I] | 1 | — | 3⁄86 | — | 23.2% | 0.262 | 4.3 |
| Sculk Catalyst | 1–2 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.262 | 6.2 |
| Compass | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Music Disc (13) | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Music Disc (cat) | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Lead | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Name Tag | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Saddle | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Damaged Enchanted Diamond Hoe[J][K] | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Diamond Horse Armor | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Enchanted Diamond Leggings[J] | 1 | — | 2⁄86 | — | 16.1% | 0.174 | 6.2 |
| Enchanted Golden Apple | 1–2 | — | 1⁄86 | — | 8.4% | 0.131 | 11.9 |
| Music Disc (otherside) | 1 | — | 1⁄86 | — | 8.4% | 0.087 | 11.9 |
| Ward Armor Trim Smithing Template | — | 1 | — | 4⁄80 | 5.0% | 0.050 | 20.0 |
| Silence Armor Trim Smithing Template | — | 1 | — | 1⁄80 | 1.2% | 0.013 | 80.0 |
- ↑ a b c The size of stacks (or for unstackable items, number) of this item on any given roll.
- ↑ a b c The weight of this item relative to other items in the pool.
- ↑ a b c The odds of finding any of this item in a single chest.
- ↑ a b c The number of items expected per chest, averaged over a large number of chests.
- ↑ a b c The average number of chests the player should expect to search to find any of this item.
- ↑ a b c 'Nothing' does not refer to the chance of an empty chest. Instead, it refers to the chance that the random loot generator does not add any loot on a single roll.
- ↑ a b c All enchantments are equally probable, including treasure enchantments (except Soul Speed, and Swift Sneak), and any level of the enchantment is equally probable.
- ↑ a b c Enchanted with a random level of Swift Sneak.
- ↑ a b c Enchantment probabilities are the same as a level-20 to level-39 enchantment would be on an enchantment table that had no cap at level 30, and that was able to apply treasure enchantments (except Soul Speed, and Swift Sneak), and where the chance of multiple enchantments is not reduced.
- ↑ a b c d e f Enchantment probabilities are the same as a level-30 to level-50 enchantment would be on an enchantment table that had no cap at level 30, and that was able to apply treasure enchantments (except Soul Speed, and Swift Sneak), and where the chance of multiple enchantments is not reduced.
- ↑ a b c The item has between 80% and 100% of its total durability.
- ↑ Enchanted with Mending.
In Java Edition, each ancient city ice box chest contains 4–10 item stacks, with the following distribution:
| Item | Stack Size [A] | Weight [B] | Chance [C] | Avg. per chest [D] |
Avg. # chests to search [E] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snowball | 2–6 | 4⁄9 | 97.0% | 12.444 | 1.0 |
| Packed Ice | 2–6 | 2⁄9 | 80.5% | 6.222 | 1.2 |
| Baked Potato | 1–10 | 1⁄9 | 54.9% | 4.278 | 1.8 |
| Golden Carrot | 1–10 | 1⁄9 | 54.9% | 4.278 | 1.8 |
| Suspicious Stew[F] | 2–6 | 1⁄9 | 54.9% | 3.111 | 1.8 |
In Bedrock Edition, each ancient city ice box chest contains 4–10 item stacks, with the following distribution:
| Item | Stack Size [A] | Weight [B] | Chance [C] | Avg. per chest [D] |
Avg. # chests to search [E] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snowball | 2–6 | 4⁄9 | 97.0% | 12.444 | 1.0 |
| Packed Ice | 2–6 | 2⁄9 | 80.5% | 6.222 | 1.2 |
| Baked Potato | 1–10 | 1⁄9 | 54.9% | 4.278 | 1.8 |
| Golden Carrot | 1–10 | 1⁄9 | 54.9% | 4.278 | 1.8 |
| Suspicious Stew[F] | 2–6 | 1⁄9 | 54.9% | 3.111 | 1.8 |
- ↑ a b The size of stacks (or for unstackable items, number) of this item on any given roll.
- ↑ a b The weight of this item relative to other items in the pool.
- ↑ a b The odds of finding any of this item in a single chest.
- ↑ a b The number of items expected per chest, averaged over a large number of chests.
- ↑ a b The average number of chests the player should expect to search to find any of this item.
- ↑ a b The stew grants one of the following effects: 5-7 seconds of Blindness, or 7-10 seconds of Night Vision.
History
| October 16, 2021 | Ancient cities are revealed at Minecraft Live 2021. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upcoming Java Edition | |||||
| 1.19 | Deep Dark Experimental Snapshot 1 | Added ancient cities. | |||
| 22w11a | Ancient cities are not added yet in this non-experimental snapshot. | ||||
| 22w13a | Re-added ancient cities and revamped with new structures, improvements to already existing structures and an updated loot table. | ||||
| 22w14a | Updated the loot table once again with echo shards, and replaced the golden carrot in city_center_2 with a golden apple. | ||||
Removed the following structures (and variants thereof) as they were duplicates of other structures:
| |||||
| Bedrock Edition | |||||
| Wild Update (Experimental) | beta 1.18.30.32 | Added ancient cities behind the "Wild Update" experimental toggle. Currently, it has outdated structure types and loots. | |||
| Upcoming Bedrock Edition | |||||
| 1.19.0 | beta 1.19.0.20 | Ancient cities are now available without enabling experimental gameplay. | |||
| beta 1.19.0.26 | Ancient cities were revamped with new structures, improvements to already existing structures and an updated loot table to match Java Edition. | ||||
Issues
Issues relating to "Ancient City" are maintained on the bug tracker. Report issues there.
Trivia
- Some statues scattered throughout the ancient cities, including the city center, bear a resemblance to early iterations of the warden's design.
- There are structures that resemble pillager outposts and woodland mansion rooms.
Gallery
Screenshots
An ancient city intersecting with a lush cave.
Development images
- Warden x ancient city sneak peak.jpeg
Sneak peak of a warden within an ancient city.
- Tenth Image Leading To A Very Scary Snapshot.jpeg
The teaser image for Deep Dark Experimental Snapshot 1, featuring the ancient city.
See also
Notes
References




















