Dig Up the Dirt on RuneScape's Latest Archaeology Update

In today's era of neverending live games—Fortnite, Destiny 2, Modern Warfare—it's worth appreciating the few titles that have been continuously trundling on with updates and events 'before it was cool'. RuneScape, launched in 2001, exemplifies this: the new skills, areas, quests and—occasional—complete overhauls have managed to keep a devoted fanbase while never failing to draw in new players, even after almost 20 years.

The latest update to the iconic MMO brings a new player skill to the roster: Archaeology. While, admittedly, this sounds fairly minor as updates go—more of a side attraction than main event—the gameplay and plot implications are significant.

Through visiting various dig sites spread around the world of Gielnor, players will uncover and restore artefacts and relics; they'll also learn long-lost training methods for new and exciting powers. Rare crafting materials, player abilities, unique items and more lie in wait for players willing to get their hands dirty and sift through ancient soil.

The Elder God Wars Dungeon, teased for later this year, also ties in to this update. As well as offering the chance to develop abilities that'll prove useful for the upcoming update's challenges, archaeology will also unearth hidden fragments of lore regarding Gielnor's history and its ancient gods.

With plenty to discover underneath Gielnor for all types of players, the Archaeology skill is one of the most ambitious in the RuneScape's history.

The Archaeology update is out now for RuneScape.