Overview
Excavation Sites are ancient ruin POIs being looted by hostile parties in Windrose. The most story-relevant example is the Blackbeard Ruins Excavation Site, which Doctor Galen's investigation in The Bitter Pill leads the player to. Excavation Sites are distinct from plain Ancient Ruins in that they feature fortifications, steel cages, and active pirate operations.
What Excavation Sites Contain
Tumbaga Ingots: used for weapon ascension and cannon upgrades.
Gunpowder crates: often branded with trading-company insignias that tie into side-quest reveals.
Quest-critical lore: letters, maps, and crates referenced in main-story conversations.
Pirate patrols: expect Blackbeard-aligned enemies including Grenadiers and Juggernauts.
Blackbeard Ruins Excavation Site
The Blackbeard Ruins Excavation Site sits southwest of Thomas Richards' camp. The northwest end of the ruins holds the Gunpowder Crates next to a steel cage. The crates carry the Arnaud Trading Company insignia, which is the smoking gun for The Bitter Pill.
Tips
Clear the outer pirate patrols before committing to the interior. Stacking multiple patrol pulls is the primary cause of death.
Loot all crates on the way in; some non-quest containers hold Iron Bullets and Healing Potions.
Drop a Fast Travel Bell if you will return for additional Tumbaga runs.