Subnautica: Below Zero takes players to the planet 4546B, a frigid water-based planet. A survival adventure game, Subnautica: Below Zero is centered around plunging into the icy depths of the alien planet’s ocean environment. Players are tasked with surviving in the harsh waterscape filled with alien creatures, completing tasks along the way that uncover the game’s mysterious plot involving a missing research team.
Subnautica: Below Zero players will find themselves searching for different objects deep within the water, as well as on land in the northern portion of the map. Players can gather resources, make tools, build new submersibles, and interact with the planet’s dangerous environment on their aquatic adventures. While exploring the ocean, players will sometimes run across Architect Artifacts. These artifacts are pieces of architectural technology left on Planet 4546B by The Architects. Among these Architect Artifacts is The Fossil Excavator.
Fossil Excavator Location in Subnautica: Below Zero
The Fossil Excavator was used in a dig site near the Deep Purple Vents. It is a large machine, situated between two glide rails, that was being used by the Architects to unearth underwater fossils. The excavator emits a sonar pulse that senses objects in the ground below. Once the excavator finds a fossil underground, it can strip away at the rock formations with lasers to uncover the targeted fossil. Surely, this device was previously useful to the Architects on the chilled alien planet.
One of the 15 Architect Artifacts in Subnautica: Below Zero, The Fossil Excavator can be scanned to help players unlock new blueprints. It can be tricky finding the exact path to follow toward the excavator, as players must traverse winding underwater passages to reach it. Players having trouble finding the excavator will be happy to learn there is a straightforward way to locate the device. Here is how to find The Fossil Excavator in Subnautica: Below Zero.
Head due south from the drop pod location to reach Delta Island. Once players are at the Delta Station Beacon, they must face east to head in the direction of the Deep Purple Vents. Next, players must travel approximately 550 meters east from the Delta Station Beacon to reach the Mercury 2 Thruster. Head straight down from the Mercury 2 Thruster to find the bright Deep Purple Vents. Next to the purple vents is a tunnel at the bottom of the cavern. Follow the tunnel all the way to the end, where players will finally reach The Fossil Excavator.
Subnautica: Below Zero is available on Mac, PC, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
