Where is the Excavation Site: Wetlands entrance in WoW Forever?

In the south of the Wetlands, north of the Dun Algaz passage. Sources describe the path differently: one starts it just south of the Thelgen Rock cavern, another from the Meeting Stone at the base of the mountain. One source gives the Meeting Stone at 54, 65 (to verify).

What level should you be for the Excavation Site?

Sources from the beta disagree: 24-29, 26-33, and 26-31 in Blizzard's Oct 1 notes. The quests start at level 24. We confirm the range in game at launch.

How many bosses are in the Excavation Site?

Three bosses with loot (Saltspine, Shadetooth, Relic Guardian), plus the Highland Horror, an optional boss for an Alliance quest. Icy Veins doesn't count the Horror as a boss.

Can the Horde do the Excavation Site?

Yes. Sources list 3 Horde quests and 5 Alliance quests, plus follow-up steps. One source says the Horde comes from Hammerfall in the Arathi Highlands (to verify).

Excavation Site: WetlandsNew

Site de fouilles des Paluns

Levels 24-29Wetlands5 players

Other sources say 26-33

4 bossesLast verified: 15 Oct 2026

levels: 24-29
players: 5
bosses: 4
drops known: 15

Access

No key

No key or attunement found: level only.

Not confirmed yet

At a glance

New in Forever: an outdoor dig site in the southern Wetlands. 3 bosses with loot, plus a quest boss for the Alliance.

Somebody dug a big hole in a swamp and left in a hurry. A hole that someone else dug? That's free money, friend.

Who it's for

Both factions: sources list 8 dungeon quests (5 Alliance, 3 Horde), plus follow-up steps.
New dungeon in WoW Forever, outdoors. One source gives 5 players and a single level (to verify).
One source says a full run takes 45-60 minutes (to verify).

The route, in plain words

The lake. Saltspine is on and around the crocolisk lake.
The tall grass. Shadetooth is in the crocodile den, in tall grass full of stealthed raptors.
The camp (optional). The Highland Horror is near the camping hut after Shadetooth. Only needed for an Alliance quest.
The end. The Relic Guardian is inactive until someone uses the panel next to it (called the Archival Panel or the Titan Control Panel).

Boss order as given by the beta guides; we check it in game at launch.

The bosses in one line each

Saltspine: Tendon Rip slows the tank. Sources disagree on Dust Storm (lower hit chance in melee, or less threat for the tank): to verify. Don't pull extra mobs.
Shadetooth: two Thicket Hunters come with him: kill them first. He fears the group, bleeds the tank, and puts Infected Wound on the tank (less healing, dispel it). He enrages at 30% or 20%, sources disagree: keep stuns for it.
Highland Horror (optional): roots and heals itself (one source). The main risk is pulling the slimes around it. Kill it fast and loot the quest item.
Relic Guardian: knockbacks, stuns and Thunderclap. Face it away from the group; ranged stay away from War Stomp.

Quests to grab before you go

Take these before entering, or you'll run it twice:

Alliance, Menethil Harbor: Lost in the Thicket Things (Caitlin Grassman) and Highland Hides (James Halloran, needs Young Crocolisk Skins first).
Alliance, Wetlands: Horrors in the Highland (Rethiel the Greenwarden), after Tramping Paws, Fire Taboo and Blisters on the Land.
Alliance, Redridge Mountains (Lakeshire): Songblade Search (Dorin Songblade). Its follow-up is Fallen in the Fen.
Alliance, breadcrumb: Seeking Caitlin sends you to Caitlin Grassman. Sources disagree on who gives it: to verify.
Horde, Orgrimmar: Changing Tastes (Borstan, The Drag).
Horde, Arathi Highlands: Dragonmaw Rumors (Zaruk, Hammerfall), which leads to Open the Maw from a Deathstalker Agent in the Wetlands.
Both factions, from the last boss: the Relic Guardian drops the Titan Relic. Alliance take it to Prospector Whelgar, then Ironforge. Horde take it to Thunder Bluff, then Mulgore.

Quest levels: sources say 24 to accept; Kami-labs shows 31 (28 for Highland Hides): to verify.

Watch out

Stealthed raptors hide in Shadetooth's tall grass.
Fear: Shadetooth's roar fears the group. Fear Ward or Tremor Totem help.
Highland Hides may be bugged in the beta, and one source says it isn't a true dungeon quest (to verify).

FAQ

Where is the Excavation Site: Wetlands entrance in WoW Forever?: In the south of the Wetlands, north of the Dun Algaz passage. Sources describe the path differently: one starts it just south of the Thelgen Rock cavern, another from the Meeting Stone at the base of the mountain. One source gives the Meeting Stone at 54, 65 (to verify).
What level should you be for the Excavation Site?: Sources from the beta disagree: 24-29, 26-33, and 26-31 in Blizzard's Oct 1 notes. The quests start at level 24. We confirm the range in game at launch.
How many bosses are in the Excavation Site?: Three bosses with loot (Saltspine, Shadetooth, Relic Guardian), plus the Highland Horror, an optional boss for an Alliance quest. Icy Veins doesn't count the Horror as a boss.
Can the Horde do the Excavation Site?: Yes. Sources list 3 Horde quests and 5 Alliance quests, plus follow-up steps. One source says the Horde comes from Hammerfall in the Arathi Highlands (to verify).