Ancient Specimen
Ancient Specimen is a Story Trait that can generate in asteroids or planetoids, which is focused around the structure of the same name. Once the story trait is completed, the Ancient Specimen turns into the Fossil Quarry and allows to mine lots of Fossil with some Diamonds.
Description
The Ancient Specimen Story Trait generates 4 points of interest: The eponymous Ancient Specimen and three smaller fossils: Amber, Frozen and Petrified. All four always generate on the same asteroid.
Progress
Initiation
Once a fossil is discovered no further action is required to start excavating it. Prior to the February 2024 QoL update the select of any fossil would reveal the remaining three.
Fossil Excavating
A duplicant with the Masterworks Skill can excavate the fossil. To be excavated the fossil must fully stand on solid floor and can't be entombed. Each small fossil type comes with it's own danger and can be deconstructed after excvatation (even if the story trait isn't completed).
Ancient Specimen
The main Ancient Specimen generates in a rectangle together with two Large Fossil Fragment and one Small Fossil Fragment. They are partially buried in Fossil, Fertilizer, Sandstone and Sand, open parts are filled with a small amount of Carbon Dioxide.
It is usually found in a Temperate biome.
Amber Fossil
Amber Fossil's danger are Zombie Spores, it is usually found in a Marsh biome.
Frozen Fossil
Frozen Fossil's danger are freezing temperatures, it is usually found in a Tundra biome.
Petrified Fossil
Petrified Fossil's danger are scorching temperatures, it is usually found in an Oil biome.
Completion
Once all four fossil are excavated, the story trait is ready for completion via the notifications in the interface. Completing the story trait turns the Ancient Specimen into the Fossil Quarry and gives a reward of one Keepsake, the Critter Collar, which can be displayed on a Pedestal.
Fossil Quarry
Once the story trait is completed, the Ancient Specimen is renamed to Fossil Quarry and can still be utilized, although it works a bit differently than before. The lantern of the Fossil Quarry emits light and production of Fossil can be requested. Operating the Fossil Quarry still requires the Masterworks skill and turns 1 kg Diamond into 100 kg Fossil. Fossil can be processed further to Sedimentary Rock and Lime in a Rock Crusher.
Due to the high return ratio of the Fossil Quarry you can create a positive resource-loop in the Spaced Out DLC with Rock Crusher, Hatches, Kiln and Diamond Press.
Gallery
Ancient Specimen when first encountered
Ancient Specimen after excavation
Amber Fossil
Frozen Fossil
Petrified Fossil
History
- U46-550759: Introduced
- U51-596100: Selecting any fossil now doesn't reveal the remaining three