Dead Space 3 features a variety of unique artifacts that you can discover on your journey. This Dead Space 3 Guide: Artifact Collectibles Guide will detail every artifact in the game, where you can find them, how to get them and what you can unlock for finding every artifact for each part.
There are 40 artifacts available in total, each belonging to a different Circuit Set. Depending on the Circuit Set that you complete, you’re offered different rewards. They are scattered through each of the games 19 chapters, including the prologue. This is a write as we go guide so be sure to check back if you get a little ahead
Dead Space 3 Guide Artifact Collectibles Guide
Check below for the Dead Space 3 Guide: Artifact Collectibles Guide on a chapter by chapter basis, beginning with the Prologue. If you find one we missed please leave a comment, we’ll update the guide and add your name to the credits.
Collecting every Dead Space 3 Artifact will also reward you with the highly coveted professor achievement.
Prologue Artifact Locations Guide
Prize: S.C.A.F. Artifact
Guide: Right at the beginning of the game, after the introduction cut-scene, you’re tasked with finding your way through the intense snowstorm. As you start take a heavy left and walk as far as it will let you. From there follow your objective marker and you should see a glowing object in the snow ahead. If the snowstorm clears and you still haven’t found it, you’ve gone too far. Turn around and hug the right wall all the way back, you’ll see it.
Chapter 1: Rude Awakening Artifact Locations
Prize: Unitology Artifact
Guide: After Isaac manages to dodge the loading pistol and fall down a deep hole, onto a heap of dead bodies, you’ll have to clear out two rooms of enemies. After you’ve taken the enemies out of the equation you’ll have to go down an elevator. Once you arrive in the office type area there’s a desk to the right, the artifact is hidden underneath.
Prize: Earth Gov Artifact
Guide: When you’re first introduced to the Stasis feature you’ll be asked to stop the automated traffic. Use the Stasis to cause a large crash and head to your left once you’ve done so. The artifact can be found in a garage type room to the left of the entrance
Chapter 2: On Your Own Artifact Locations
Prize: Earth Gov Artifact
Guide: When you first arrive on the USM Eudora you’ll follow the objective down a large flight of stairs before exiting via a door on the right. Once you’re through the door a large corridor goes two ways, ahead and to the right. Follow it all the way round the right hand side to reach the end and locate some ammo with the Artifact.
Chapter 3: CMS Roanoke Artifact Locations
Prize: S.C.A.F Artifact
Note: This appears to be located in both chapter 3 and 4. If you collect it here don’t worry about it in Chapter 4.
Guide: At the start of chapter 3 before you enter the Roanoke, while still in space. if you float towards your mates, there’s a trench just after the ‘lip’ of the Roanoke (with the oxygen canister), go into the trench type bit and you’ll find the artifact.
Prize: S.C.A.F Artifact
Guide: A short while after you arrive on CMS Roanoke you’ll be attacked by what’s left of the crew. After they attack you’re asked to use Telekinesis to remove a crate blocking a door. After you enter the door you’ll be in a classroom type area. Walk up the stairs, round the back and back down the other stairs, head to where the tutor would stand. The artifact can be found there.
Chapter 4: Artifact Locations
Prize: Earth Gov Artifact
Guide: This one is located near the beginning of Chapter 4. Once you arrive in the Admiral’s Quarters you’ll have a short cut-scene where they discuss the alien device and a key. Straight after the cut-scene you’re left looking out a window, the artifact is on the floor to your right.
Prize: S.C.A.F Artifact
Note: If you collected this Artifact in Chapter 3, you will not need to do so here.
Guide: This artifact can be discovered shortly after you’ve been introduced to new suits and upgrades. When you head out into space, you’ll see an oxygen tank directly in front of you. In the far distance ahead, you’ll see another one flashing. Approach that one but don’t go all the way. Below you is a large piece of debris, one end has a couple of broken chairs. The artifact can be found there, far left side as you approach the oxygen tanks.
Prize: S.C.A.F Artifact
Guide: CMS Brusilov area. There’s a large piece of spaceship debris with a giant “6” on the door, go behind it as you fly towards it. On the back of it you’ll find a door that requires Telekinesis to open. The artifact can be found inside.
Prize: Alien Artifact
Guide: For this one you need to do the optional mission aboard the CMS Greely. Once you arrive on the Greely you’ll need to restore power and do a few other bits. Eventually you’ll reach a room that has feet and other body parts encased in small ice boxes, they look a bit like TV screens. In the far top right corner, as you enter, there’s a small alcove. Search inside there for this artifact. It’s in the same room as the elevator.
Chapter 5: Artifact Locations
Prize: S.C.A.F Artifact
Guide: The first artifact we found was in the cockpit of the ship you explore in Chapter 5. Check under the right hand seat, near a rather lot of blood.
Prize: S.C.A.F Artifact
Guide: Once you clear the way for the blocked tram, fight the enemies, and then go down the elevator that malfunctions while you’re in it. You’ll then be in a room with an audio recording. Proceed to the next room, climb the ladder to your left, look directly to your right and you’ll see what appears to be a white body bag and three boxes, the artifact will be on the boxes. Hope I explained that well enough for others to find it!
Prize: S.C.A.F Artifact
Guide: The second artifact in Chapter 5, you have to get off at mid-station and investigate the Conning Tower. can be found in the Engine Room, an area you explore towards the end of the mission. It’s filled with consoles and chairs, and also has a few explosive tanks inside. The artifact can be found on the bottom most level in a corner behind a chair.
We’ve yet to discover any more on chapter 5. Please post a comment on which artifact you found and where. We’ll add it to the guide, credit your name and you’ll be helping thousands of other gamers.
Chapter 6: Artifact Locations
Prize: S.C.A.F Artifact
Guide: Once you’ve completed the scene with the minigun and blocked engines, you’re thrown out into space. On your way back, there’s an artifact floating in space. As soon as you gain control look down to your right, you will see a large piece of spaceship debris. There’s a loot box and some oxygen on it also, follow the sound prompts for better direction. The artifact is floating on the reverse side of that debris. It’s about 120-125m from the objective and it’s considerably lower than the docking entrance.
Chapter 8: Artifact Locations
Prize: S.C.A.F Artifact
Guide: Following a very short and artifact-less Chapter 7, we move on to Chapter 8. There’s only one artifact here. After the ship crashes and you move on through the level, encountering the large monster a couple of times. Eventually you’ll be walking through a large tube; the tube collapses and you’re force to run down to ground level. As you leave the tube follow the right side and you’ll come to a locked door near a ladder. You’re also ambushed by some new enemy types. The S.C.A.F Artifact can be found at the top of the ladder to the left.
Chapter 9: Artifact Locations
Prize: S.C.A.F Artifact
Guide: The first artifact can be found shortly after you start the search for your Snowsuit. As you explore, after you go down the lift, you’ll eventually enter an area with a Quarantined door. It’s an easy spot as you’ll hear something beating on the other side of it as you enter. There’s a room next door, head inside for the artifact.
Prize: S.C.A.F Artifact
Guide: For this one you’ll have to do the Optional Mission Supply Depot. After you’ve grabbed your Snowsuit return to the ladder where you discovered the first artifact. The locked door can now be opened, assuming you didn’t miss the obvious key. Once inside you’ll have to work you way through a fair bit. Eventually you’ll find an audio recording that mentions lack of signal and food. The next room contains a Bench, but go through again. The following room contains 2 iced areas to your right, walk to furthest one. The artifact can be found on your left, resting on the floor.
Prize: S.C.A.F Artifact
Guide: The final artifact on Chapter 9 is another S.C.A.F one but it’s far simpler than the previous artifact. After your battle with the giant monster thing you’ll enter the compound. A few seconds inside you’ll see a ladder, climb it and head to the very end of the room. The artifact is hidden on the left as you reach the end.
Chapter 10: Artifact Locations
Prize: Alien Artifact
Guide: This is quite a distance into Chapter 10. After your two enemies begin fighting, you’ll have to work your way through a few areas. Eventually you’ll reach a lift to the Excavation Site, the Alien Artifact is on the right side near the scaffolding, as you approach.
Prize: S.C.A.F Artifact
Guide: After the boss fight with the Drill you’ll have to take a lift up to another level. Once you exit the lift look to your right to see 2 boxes and a body. The S.C.A.F Artifact can be discovered behind the closest pillar.
Chapter 11: Artifact Locations
Prize: Unitology Artifact
Guide: Near the start of Chapter 11, when you’re sent to collect the parts to create the Blueprint. Shortly after you see the 3 enemies devour the human you’ll arrive at the Delta Barracks entrance. Instead of going in; head around to the left and you’ll find the Unitology Artifact.
Prize: Unitology Artifact
Guide: After your second fight with the big alien you’ll have the option of exploring the armory for the Optional Objective. As soon as you enter, there’s a small office on the right. The artifact is hidden in the office on the floor.
Prize: Unitology Artifact
Guide: Another one found during the Armory Optional Objective. After you find the actual Armory key you’ll enter a box filled tunnel where 3 enemies will attack you, the sneaky ones that like to hide before lunging at full speed. At the very end of the tunnel is a couple of stacked boxes, the Artifact is behind those boxes.
Chapter 13: Artifact Locations
Prize: S.C.A.F Artifact
Guide: This one is quite tough to explain. As you’re traveling through the Snow Caverns you’ll eventually reach an area where you’re ambushed by the enemies with the glowing, explosive sacks. After you dispose of these enemies you’ll reach a fork in the tunnel, objective says go right. Take a left and you’ll find the only Artifact on this level. It’s after the part where you’re climbing and fighting at the same time.
Chapter 14: Artifact Locations
Prize: Unitology Artifact
Guide: You may not find this first depending on which area you explore. I chose to go to the Geology area first so if you do the same, this part will make more sense. Progress through the Geology area until you reach the room with a large amount of boxes and the enemies that like to hide before charging. Literally straight ahead as you enter is the door to the Optional Objective, Disposal Services. As you look at the door look behind the small pillar on your left to find the Alien Artifact.
Prize: S.C.A.F Artifact
Guide: Continue through the Geology area and you’ll soon reach a large room filled with big blocks of ice, most of which seem to have some kind of life form inside. You’ll have to fight off a few waves of enemies but after you do; check the first metal crate to your right as you enter. The S.C.A.F can be located there.
Prize: S.C.A.F Artifact
Guide: You’ll need to begin the Disposal Services Optional Objective to collect this Artifact. Work your way through until the final room, you should recognize it from previous Optional Objectives, as it’s identical. Straight ahead once you enter the area and take a right, remaining on the upper level. Follow it a short distance round and you’ll see the Artifact on the floor ahead.
Prize: S.C.A.F Artifact
Guide: Another Artifact in Chapter 14 that can be found during an Optional Objective. Once you’ve entered the Barracks you’ll have to fight your way through for quite a while. Just before you reach the loot room you’ll reach a room with some posts and bunk-beds. Search the room directly next to the Bench, the one without a door, and you’ll find the S.C.A.F Artifact on the right hand side.
Prize: Alien Artifact
Guide: This one can be found near the second piece inside the Biology section. You have to fight an enemy that’s attached to the wall and the second piece is in a glass container to its left. As you approach the second piece turn around 180 degrees and you’ll see the Artifact resting on a barrel.
Prize: ???? ????
Guide: Another artifact is in Paleontology by the second piece you collect (main mission). When you walk in the room it should be to the left.
Chapter 17: Artifact Locations
Prize: Alien Artifact
Guide: It’s located at the VERY beginning of the level. After the cut-scene with Isaac looking down, turn back toward the edge and look to your right by the object with the fragile sign and the ice block (in between).
Prize: Unitology Artifact
Guide: During Chapter 17 you’ll have to remove a power source from one location and place it into another; one surrounded by explosives. The second time you’re asked to do this, you can find the artifact nearby. Check to the left and on the floor, as you approach.
Prize: Alien Artifact
Guide: To obtain this Alien Artifact you have to begin the Optional Objective in Artifact Storage. Simply follow the objectives through until you reach an area with the Electric Engineering Interface puzzle. As you look at the console take a look to your right and you’ll notice a very dark alcove, the Artifact can be found inside on the floor.
Prize: Alien Artifact
Guide: Carrying on with the main objective in Chapter 17 you will eventually have to manipulate a strange statue to open a portal to the heart of the city. Go through the portal and enjoy the brief flight. Once you reach the other site enter via the Translation Device and then take a left as soon as you’re inside, Follow round to the left, the Artifact is at the end behind a box.
I missed the final one. As with previous Chapters, please feel free to leave the name and location of the Artifact if you’ve found it. I’ll be sure to update the guide and add your name to the credits.
Chapter 18: Artifact Locations
Prize: Alien Artifact
Guide: Follow Chapter 18 through until you reach a room filled with boxes, where yet again you’re attacked by the ones that like to hide before charging. After you clear the room the objective marker will point you to another Translation Door, the Alien Artifact can be found to the left of the door as you head towards it.
Prize: Alien Artifact
Guide: Eventually you will arrive in a huge room with several decorated pillars and a large Telekinesis plate. Several of the routes are also blocked by organic material. You need to walk around to the right and walk as far round as you can, eventually ending up on the left side of the closest organic material when you entered the room. So basically, enter, walk right and follow it as far left as possible. You’ll find the Alien Artifact there.
Chapter 19: Artifact Locations
Prize: Alien Artifact
Guide: The final Artifact! It’s actually pretty simple too. Shortly after the first enemies begin appearing you’ll notice 2 boxes side by side, two large tentacle things appear nearby. As you approach the boxes make a hard left and the Alien Artifact is located at the end in plain sight.
So there you have it, now you know where to find the artifacts in Dead Space 3. I’ve missed a few so if you heroes would be kind enough to provide some information, if you’ve discovered one I didn’t, I’ll add it to the post and credit your name.
A huge thank you to the following contributors for helping to improve this guide:
Meagan
Taff
rcmountford
