The Artifact in Sons of the Forest is a mysterious item assembled from seven individual pieces found primarily within the island’s cave systems. While the specific full functionality of the assembled artifact is still being fully explored by the community, collecting all pieces is essential for progression and understanding the game’s lore.
Artifact Overview
The Artifact is a significant late-game item in Sons of the Forest, composed of seven distinct pieces. Each piece is simply named ”???” within the game, leading the community to refer to them by their collection order or the caves they are found in. Most artifact pieces are located in caves that players will naturally encounter during the main story progression, often requiring specific tools like the Rebreather or Rope Gun to access. A key visual cue for finding these pieces within caves is the presence of wooden crosses, which often mark the path to an artifact or a related significant area.
These pieces are scattered across the island, with some requiring more preparation than others. The final piece becomes available only after completing the game’s main story. Due to the dangerous nature of the caves where these pieces reside, it is highly recommended to save your game at a tent near the cave entrance before attempting to retrieve any artifact piece.
Artifact Piece Locations
Below is a detailed breakdown of each artifact piece, its location, and any specific requirements or navigation tips.
| Piece | Location | Requirements | Notes
Artifact Piece #1 is in the Rebreather Cave. From the entrance, follow the watery path. At the first fork, take the right passage towards the Stun Gun. At the next fork, turn left into a passage marked by a wooden cross. You will need to chop open a boarded-up passage and descend a rope. Continue following the wooden crosses through another boarded-up area. The artifact is found on a metal surface.
Artifact Piece #2 is in the same cave system as the Rope Gun. This piece requires the Rebreather. After entering the cave, hug the right wall down a slope into a large room. Keep to the right to find a rope leading down over a ledge next to a waterfall. Descend the rope to a rock shelf and a pool. Jump into the pool and swim through a hole on your right. This leads to a room with wooden crosses and another pool. Dive into this pool with the Rebreather, swim through the underwater passage, surface, and cut through the boards blocking the way. The artifact is in this final room.
Artifact Piece #3 is located in the Grind Trap Cave, near the northeast coast. The entrance is within the northernmost cabin, where you’ll find boarded-up stairs. This cave is generally considered easy as it often has no enemies. You will need to chop through boarded doors and climb down ropes. The artifact is found at the end, surrounded by golden skeletons.
Artifact Piece #4 is found in the Pickaxe Cave, southwest of the Grind Trap Cave. The entrance is a small hole in the ground that you can climb into. There are typically no enemies on the path to this artifact. Follow the flow of water down small waterfalls until it ends in a small pool. Dive into this pool and use the Rebreather to swim through an underwater passage. Upon surfacing, you’ll see a boarded-up passage to your left. This is the way to the artifact. Follow the wooden crosses and descend ropes to find the piece.
Artifact Piece #5 is located in Cave G. After breaking through three wooden boards, you will descend a rope. The artifact will be visible, surrounded by skeletons worshipping it.
Artifact Piece #6 is found at the end of a cave, in the spaceship pilot seat. This piece requires the Rebreather. The specific cave is often referred to as Cave D or the Lake Cave.
Artifact Piece #7 is the final artifact piece. It is located at the bottom of a cave and can only be collected after the player has finished the game’s main story.
The locations are generally spread across the island, with the first few pieces often found on the western side and later pieces in the northeast or other areas. Players should be prepared for combat and environmental hazards in all cave systems.
Artifact Uses
As of June 22, 2026, the primary known use of the assembled artifact is to open the Golden Cube, which is a critical component for progressing and ultimately completing the main storyline of Sons of the Forest. The artifact pieces themselves, when collected individually, do not appear to have standalone uses or grant temporary buffs. Their value lies in their assembly.
Once all seven pieces are gathered, they form a complete artifact. This assembled artifact is then used in conjunction with other late-game items or locations to unlock the Golden Cube, which is tied directly to the game’s narrative conclusion. Without the complete artifact, players cannot access the Golden Cube and therefore cannot finish the game. Beyond opening the Golden Cube, other potential uses or passive effects of the artifact are not yet confirmed by the game’s developers or widely discovered by the community.
Collection Strategy
The most efficient strategy for collecting artifact pieces depends on your current game progress. If you are playing through the game for the first time, it is generally recommended to collect the pieces as you naturally encounter the required caves during story progression. Many of the caves containing artifacts also house essential tools like the Rebreather or Rope Gun, making it logical to acquire the artifact pieces while you are already exploring these dangerous areas.
For players loading an end-game save or specifically hunting for artifacts, planning a route to minimize travel time across the island is advisable. Consulting an interactive map that shows all artifact locations can help in charting an optimal course. Prioritize acquiring the Rebreather and Rope Gun early, as these are prerequisites for several artifact pieces. Always approach caves with caution, ensuring you have adequate supplies and a tent saved nearby. While some caves may be free of enemies, others are heavily populated with mutants and cannibals.
FAQ
Do I need the Rebreather for all artifact pieces? No, but the Rebreather is required for Artifact Pieces #2, #4, and #6, as these involve underwater passages.
Can I collect all artifact pieces before finishing the game? You can collect six of the seven artifact pieces before finishing the game. The final (seventh) artifact piece becomes available only after completing the main storyline.
Do the individual artifact pieces have any special powers or uses? No, the individual artifact pieces do not appear to have any standalone uses or grant powers. Their purpose is to be assembled into a complete artifact.
What is the main purpose of the complete artifact? The complete artifact is primarily used to open the Golden Cube, which is essential for progressing and completing the main story of Sons of the Forest.
Are there any enemies in the caves where artifacts are found? Yes, most caves containing artifact pieces are dangerous and populated with mutants and cannibals. However, some specific paths to artifacts, like parts of the Grind Trap Cave (Artifact #3) and Pickaxe Cave (Artifact #4), may be clear of enemies. Always be prepared for combat.