How to Get and Use Artifacts in ARK

Playing ARK Survival Evolved servers starts with figuring out how to stay alive, but that’s only the beginning. Sooner or later, you’ll run into the game’s toughest opponents: the bosses. To take them on, you’ll need to track down rare items known as artifacts. They’re hidden deep in dangerous caves and ruins, and collecting them is key if you want to unlock boss fights and reach the endgame.

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All Cave Locations, Artifacts, and Survival Tips in ARK

Whether you’re just getting started or already deep into the game, this guide will show you what artifacts are for, where to get them, and how to use them the right way.

What Are Artifacts in ARK?

Artifacts are non-craftable, collectible items found in specific cave locations across ARK’s many maps. Each artifact is unique and represents a different aspect of the game's lore, power, cunning, the immune system, and more. Players primarily collect these relics to initiate boss fights in obelisks or summoning terminals, but they’re also used in crafting certain tech-tier structures and tributes.

There are 18 main artifacts spread across different maps, although not all maps contain every artifact. Some maps, like The Island, include a core set, while expansions such as Aberration, Extinction, and Genesis have their own specific sets or variations.

Complete Artifact List and Locations

The Island

Here’s a comprehensive table of all artifacts found on The Island, the original ARK map, including their in-game coordinates and cave types:

Artifacts on Other ARK Maps

Scorched Earth

On the harsh desert map Scorched Earth, there are three artifacts, all needed to summon the Manticore boss. These relics are hidden in ancient, sand-blasted ruins and deep caves. The Artifact of the Destroyer can be found in the Ruins of Nosti, located around 79.8° latitude and 77.5° longitude. The Artifact of the Crag lies within the Grave of the Tyrants, roughly at 28.3° LAT, 29.0° LON. Lastly, the Artifact of the Gatekeeper is deep inside the Old Tunnels, around 58.6° LAT and 47.7° LON. These caves are narrow and dangerous, filled with heat and enemies.

The Center

The Center map features all ten artifacts from The Island, along with an additional unique one. Due to its vertical terrain and diverse biomes, you’ll find these artifacts scattered across lava-filled caverns, snowy tunnels, and overgrown jungle caves. A special bonus artifact - Artifact of the Devious, is hidden in the Lava Oasis, making exploration here both rewarding and perilous.

Ragnarok

Rich in fantasy elements, Ragnarok includes most of The Island’s artifacts and adds a few of its own. The Artifact of the Brute, Clever, and Cunning are located across the Jungle Dungeon and Ice Queen Lair. A unique entry, the Artifact of the Devious, is earned by completing Life’s Labyrinth, a complex, trap-filled maze. Other artifacts like Hunter, Pack, and Massive are found in swampy caves and the Jungle Trench.

Aberration

Due to its layered, underground structure and radiation zones, Aberration features three unique artifacts. The Artifact of the Depths lies within the Bioluminescent Zone at around 51.2° LAT and 23.8° LON. The Artifact of the Shadows is tucked away in the Hidden Grotto, near 50.5° LAT and 72.6° LON. Lastly, the Artifact of the Stalker is located deep in the Radiation Zone (approx. 91.6° LAT, 51.4° LON), requiring hazard protection gear for survival.

IMPORTANT

Several Aberration zones are radioactive and deadly without a proper hazard suit

Extinction

Rather than traditional artifacts, Extinction introduces Titan-specific summoning mechanics. Each Titan (Forest, Ice, and Desert) has its own terminal located within a themed biome, Forest Cave for the Forest Titan, Snow Dome for the Ice Titan, and Desert Spire for the Desert Titan. These terminals act as boss gateways rather than typical artifact shrines.

Valguero

Valguero incorporates biomes and artifact placements inspired by earlier maps. Players can find artifacts like Brute, Devourer, and Pack hidden within the Redwoods and the Aberration Cave system. Meanwhile, Strong, Hunter, and Massive reside in the ancient Temple of the Looter.

Crystal Isles

This vibrant and vertical map includes all standard Island artifacts, along with one exclusive to the map: the Artifact of the Lost. This particular artifact is located on the Floating Isles, making it a standout in both form and difficulty.

Lost Island

Lost Island blends environments from ARK’s most iconic maps. It holds eleven artifacts, including all Island originals, which are hidden in caves, volcanoes, and overgrown ruins. Some, like those in the Jungle Temple or Ice Caves, require navigating challenging terrain and dense enemy populations.

Fjordur

Fjordur stands out by including twelve artifacts and an additional layer of gameplay with Runestones used to summon mini-bosses. Classic artifacts like Skylord, Clever, and Pack are scattered across the realms of Midgard, Vanaheim, and Jotunheim. The Artifact of the Devious, hidden in the Deeproot Cave beneath the swamps, is another highlight for adventurers willing to explore deep and dangerous paths.

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How to Use Artifacts

Artifacts aren’t just flashy collectibles for your trophy room (though they do look great on display). Their primary function is as boss summoning requirements. To initiate a boss battle, you must offer a specific combination of artifacts, creature trophies, and other resources at an obelisk or terminal.

Each boss has a tiered difficulty (Gamma, Beta, Alpha), and higher-tier summons demand more powerful and rare artifacts. For instance:

• To summon the Broodmother Lysrix on The Island, you’ll need artifacts like the Hunter, Clever, and Massive.

• The Dragon fight might require Brute, Devourer, and Skylord artifacts.

Boss battles reward survivors with Element, tech blueprints, and access to endgame engrams, making artifacts a critical piece of ARK’s progression puzzle.

Respawn and Farming Mechanics

Artifacts respawn in their original cave after a cooldown, usually around 8 to 15 minutes on official servers. Players aiming to farm bosses or stockpile for future battles can re-enter the cave after this period, provided they’re up for the challenge again.

However, it’s worth noting:

• You can only carry one copy of each artifact at a time (unless using a creature’s inventory or specialized containers).

• Artifacts cannot be transferred across certain servers or maps unless specified, especially in PvP environments with restrictions.

Tips for Collecting Artifacts Efficiently

Scout the Cave First: Use flyers or small tames to preview the interior and plan your route.

Bring a Strong Mount: Creatures like the Thylacoleo, Baryonyx, or Shadowmane excel in tight cave systems.

Use a GPS or Map Mods: If you're playing on PC, mods like "ARK GPS" can help pinpoint artifact locations more precisely.

Come Prepared: Caves often involve heat or cold extremes—carry proper gear, med brews, and antidotes.

Result

Artifacts in ARK: Survival Evolved are powerful relics hidden in caves, underwater chambers, and hazardous zones across each map, with every location offering a unique challenge, from toxic swamps to frozen caverns. These artifacts are primarily used to summon bosses at obelisks or terminals, unlocking tech-tier rewards, and are essential for story progression and completing the game.

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