The Complete Guide to All 50 Ancient Relics in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

So you're hunting Ancient Relics in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and wondering what the fuss is about. These 50 artifacts aren't just collectibles - they're the key to unlocking the game's true ending and a major side quest. This guide will show you exactly where to find every single one, from the Vatican's hidden tombs to the final post-game piece in Iraq.

Understanding Ancient Relics and the Riddles Quest

So you're staring at these Ancient Relics in your collection menu and wondering what the hell they actually do. Fair question. These aren't random trinkets - they're 50 proper museum-worthy artifacts, and each one connects directly to those mysterious Great Circle stones you'll stumble across.

Here's what you're dealing with:

• 50 relics total, split across Vatican (10), Giza (15), Sukhothai (25), and Iraq (just 1)
• Core to the Riddles of the Ancients quest - you literally can't finish this storyline without them
• Each ties to Great Circle stones - they're part of a larger puzzle
• Collect all 50 to crack open the Secret Vault - that's your endgame goal

Yeah, that lone relic in Iraq feels a bit random, but it matters. Basically, if you want to see everything, these aren't optional. You've got to grab them all.

Rewards and Achievements

Alright, let's talk loot. Each relic you snag contributes to your Adventurer Level progression, so you're getting steady XP injections as you explore. But the real payoffs come when you finish sets.

Knock out the Vatican sub-quest and you'll pocket 500 XP plus a slick recolor of Indy's vintage field-jacket. And if you're crazy enough to grab all 50? That's when you earn the 'Relic Hunter' trophy/achievement and a special epilogue letter from Marcus Brody that actually wraps up the story nicely.

Here's the full breakdown:

Reward Type	What You Get
XP Rewards	500 XP for Vatican set; smaller gains per individual relic
Cosmetic Items	Indy's vintage field-jacket recolor (Vatican)
Achievements	'Relic Hunter' trophy for all 50 relics
Meta-Achievement	'Master Relic-Hunter' for the true completionists
Story Bonus	Epilogue letter from Marcus Brody

The 'Master Relic-Hunter' meta-achievement is the one that matters for you completionists out there. It's not just another trophy - it's the game acknowledging you actually scoured every damn corner of the world map.

Vatican City Relic Locations

Tracking down every Ancient Relic in Vatican City is a proper treasure hunt, and you’ll need to poke around some pretty obscure corners to grab them all. Most are tucked away in the Apostolic Library basement and the necropolis below, so you’ll want to bring your whip and a sharp eye for symbols.

Apostolic Library Relics (2)

The library looks peaceful on the surface, but two relics are hiding in its depths. The first one is pretty straightforward once you know where to look. Inside the main library hall, you’ll spot a wrought-iron gate marked with a '♄' sigil - that's Saturn's symbol, and it's your way in. Head through that gate into the basement storeroom, and you'll find the 'Below the Library' relic sitting there. Grab it and you'll trigger the Riddles of the Ancients side-quest, so that's your cue to start hunting the rest.

The second relic is a bit more work. You can’t just grab it; you have to earn it by finishing The Secret of Giants Fieldwork for Antonio. This means tracking down all 10 Strange Inscription photos scattered across the game world. Once you’ve snapped the last one and turned them in, the 'Apostolic Library' relic spawns right on Antonio’s desk. It's a nice reward for all that legwork, but it won't appear until you've completed the full set.

Lower Necropolis Relics (5)

The Necropolis is where you'll spend most of your time relic-hunting, and it's absolutely packed with puzzles. Five relics are buried down here, and you’ll need to master both your whip and the pressure plate mechanics to get them all.

After you solve the Sacred Wounds puzzle, you'll drop down into a pit filled with water. Don't just swim straight ahead - look for a ledge you can whip-swing to, and you'll find the first relic tucked away there.

The second one is in the Tomb of the Warrior Giant (also called the Augur tomb). When you photograph the plaque inside, turn around immediately and check the left wall. There's a half-broken marble shelf recessed into it, and the relic is sitting right there. Easy to miss if you're rushing.

The third relic involves a room with two pressure-plate gates. You'll need an Ancient Bust for this, and you have to place it on the correct plate - get it wrong and nothing happens. Once it's in the right spot, the gate opens and the relic drops to the floor.

For the fourth relic, you'll need your whip again. Climb up two wooden beams in a row, then make your way to the northwestern area. There's a small hidden room up there, and the relic is waiting inside.

The fifth one is the most complicated. You’ll find yourself in a hallway connecting two rooms. First, grab an Ancient Bust from the second room. Carry it back to the first room and place it on the pedestal there. Next, you’ll need to break the wall connecting the two rooms. Finally, use that same bust to weigh down another pedestal, which opens a gate leading to the final Necropolis relic. It's a multi-step pain, but that's why you're here.

Fountain Underground Relics (3)

The Fountain Underground has its own set of challenges, and three relics are spread throughout this area. The first one is in the Challenge of Tribulation room. You'll see those classic swinging pendulum blades, but instead of dodging them, you actually need to jump down into the oil pit below them. Down there, on a broken column, sits the relic.

The second relic is on the Gold Puzzle path. Before you enter the main puzzle room, look for a hole you can crawl through. On the other side, you'll find a pressure plate - drop an Ancient Bust on it to open the gate and snag the artifact.

The third relic shows up later in the story. After Voss takes his pieces to the Great Circle, Gina will lead you to a new room you couldn't access before. Check the shelves in there, and you'll find the final Fountain Underground relic just sitting pretty.

Giza: All 15 Ancient Relics Locations

Workers Area & Haunted Tomb (2)

Let's kick things off in the Workers Area since you'll be passing through there anyway. The first relic is tucked away in the Haunted Tomb west of the blue tent, but you can't just stroll in. You'll need the Haunted Tomb Key from the restricted area first, which means either some creative sneaking or a full-on brawl. Once you've nabbed it, head back and pop open that gate. The relic itself is sitting on a crate right next to those creepy, whispering radios.

Then there's the 'Belongs in a Museum' quest reward, which is a whole different beast. If you track down all 10 Stelae scattered across Giza and hand them over to the delivery boy in the Workers Area, he'll cough up another Ancient Relic. That's a long-term project, so don't expect to knock it out in one go.

Great Sphinx & Sanctuary of the Guardians (4)

The Sphinx area is absolutely stacked with relics, and you'll grab most of these naturally as you push through the main story. Relic 2 is your first stop: head north from the Workers Area to the dune west of the Sphinx itself, and you'll spot a hidden hole you can whip down into. The relic is waiting in the short north hall - easy pickings.

Once you're inside the Sphinx dig, Relic 3 is practically unavoidable. After you pull the lever that drops the floor and opens the gate, it's right there on your immediate left. Snag it before you move on.

Relic 4 comes later, after you've solved the Trial of Light mirror puzzle. You'll enter that room with the big central hole, and you want to take the right path across the gap. Follow it to the dead end, and the relic is yours for the taking.

Relic 5 is a bit more hidden. After you pass the Protector Stele, look to your right for a climbable wall. Shimmy up there to reach a secret room above, and you'll find the relic tucked away in the corner.

Tomb of Khentkhawes & Nazi Compound (4)

The Nazi Compound and Tomb of Khentkhawes are connected, so you can knock these out in one sweep. Let's start with Relic 6 in the Nazi Office storage. Climb through the window of that wooden building north of the dig site, and you'll find a locked chest. The code is 3262, which the nearby note tells you is the Egyptian numeral for 'Cat.' Punch that in and claim your prize.

Relic 7 is in the Tomb of Khentkhawes dig site itself. On the middle floor of the excavation, follow the blue wire and water pump until you reach a flooded room. You'll need to whip across the gap and drop down to a hidden ledge - that's where the relic is hiding.

Now for the Nazi Compound proper. Relic 9 is on the top floor of Voss's Office building. Head to the eastern room and look behind the pile of boxes. It's tucked back there, but at least it's not locked away.

Relic 10 is in the same building but requires more legwork. There's a war-room safe under Voss's Office, and the code 40926 is found on a note upstairs. Once you've grabbed that code, head to the ground floor, punch it into the safe, and you'll get the final relic for this area.

Ancient Caves Relics (5)

The Ancient Caves are where things get tricky, so buckle up. Relic 8 is actually outside the main cave system, in the Seat of Eternity mystery ruins south of the Nazi Compound. After you place all four Canopic Jars on the correct altars, the sarcophagus opens and reveals this relic. It's a puzzle on its own, so treat it as a separate detour.

Now, for the actual cave sequence. Relic 12 comes after the Chamber of Resonance puzzle. Follow the cave path until you're just before the Three-Eyed Gate, then look left and jump across a series of gaps to reach it.

Relic 13 is in the Three-Eyed Gate room itself. Go through the broken door behind the left mirror and follow the short path to the end. The relic is right there waiting.

Relic 14 is after the Three-Eyed Gate in the Abyss Cavern. Climb the wall, turn left, and jump across to that closed stone door. You'll need to solve the Relic-in-Hole puzzle - rotate the relics until all the pegs pop out - to open it. The relic is inside.

Finally, Relic 15. From that same Abyss Cavern door, this time climb the right wall and swing across the gaps. Follow the swinging-path trail to reach the final relic of the entire region.

Sukhothai Ancient Relics Locations Guide

Sukhothai is absolutely packed with ancient relics, and tracking them all down means combing through temples, crawling through fascist camps, and solving a ridiculous number of cogwheel puzzles. Here's where you'll find every last one.

Wat Si Sawai Warrior Temple (3)

You'll tackle this area during The Kid Who Vanished Fieldwork, and all three relics are tucked deep inside the ruins.

For the first one, you'll need to enlist Gina's help to open a two-person door. Once she lifts you up, head down the following hallway and grab the relic at the very end - it’s sitting right out in the open.

The second relic is sneakier and requires some backtracking. After you reach Aran and return to the temple's first room, a secret area will open up. Inside, you'll spot the relic perched on a large statue.

The final relic is hiding in the water pipe puzzle room, but you can't just walk to it. Instead, grab a large stick from outside the underground entrance and bash down the wall that looks suspiciously like a door. The relic is waiting on the other side.

Voss' Camp & Ancient Ruins (2)

West of Voss' Camp sits the Ancient Ruins relic, roughly halfway between the camp and the Hidden Pyramid. You’ll need your whip to swing across a broken bridge, but once you make the jump, the relic is yours.

Then there's The Serpent's Chest, which is a whole different beast. This relic demands a multi-region key hunt that'll send you back to Gizeh, Vatican City, and Shanghai - so yes, you’ll need the rebreather for underwater sections. Once you've collected all three keys, return to the locked box in the southeast corner of Voss' Camp and claim your prize.

Hidden Pyramid Area (4)

The Hidden Pyramid looks intimidating, but its four relics are surprisingly straightforward once you know where to look:

1. Northwestern Stone Tower: In the large open water area in front of the pyramid, swim to the most northwestern tower sticking out of the water. The relic is on top.

2. Underwater Entrance: Swim into the submerged entrance underneath the pyramid. When you surface, immediately turn 180 degrees to spot a climbable tunnel - the relic is tucked inside.

3. Lost Archive: Inside the pyramid, you'll reach a room with stones in the water. Instead of going left like the path wants you to, go right to find the relic sitting in a quiet corner.

4. Central Tower: While climbing the pyramid's central tower, keep navigating around the exterior as high as you can go. The relic is on a ledge near the top.

Khmer Vault & Explosion Site (3)

During Study in Fear Fieldwork, you'll hit the Khmer Vault, which holds three relics amid its gears and water tunnels.

The first relic is right next to the large cogwheel when you're navigating across it - just look for the ledge and snatch it before moving on.

After the water tunnel sequence, you'll climb your first wall of ruins. Instead of following the main path, check the dead end nearby for the second relic.

The third relic is in the Demon's Tomb puzzle room, which is trickier. Climb the wall from the exit door, then swing across the room in front of the giant head statue. The relic is waiting on the far side.

Fascist Armory & Wat Sa Si (2)

These two are close together, so knock them out in one trip.

In the eastern section of the restricted Fascist Armory, check the small table inside a box for the first relic - it’s easy to miss if you’re rushing through.

For the second, head to Wat Sa Si Ruins during Lost in the Past Fieldwork. Behind the fascist area, there's a cave entrance. Crawl through the gap on the right side of the room, and the relic is at the end.

Khmer Cogwheel Puzzle Relics (6)

Here’s where things get grindy - six relics are locked behind cogwheel puzzles, and you'll need to collect Small Cogwheels throughout Sukhothai to unlock them. The requirements ramp up fast:

Puzzle Location	Cogwheels Needed	How to Reach It
Waterfall Ruins (south of Wat Si Sawai)	4	Follow the dirt road west of the temple.
Wat Mahathat (southeast of central ruins)	5	Look for a small hill near the main ruins.
Wat Si Sawai (north along lagoon)	6	Head right along the small lagoon north of the temple.
Jungle Bruiser Pit (north along eastern river)	7	Requires Rebreather - dive near the pit above the river.
Tongdang's Hut (south along eastern river)	5	Requires Rebreather - dive between the Village and hut.
Voss' Camp (upper western river)	10	West of Voss' Camp - this is the final puzzle.

The Voss' Camp puzzle is the real killer, demanding all 10 cogs, so save that one for last.

Wat Mahathat Hidden Temple (3)

The Hidden Temple beneath Wat Mahathat holds three relics, but you'll be fighting leeches and solving puzzles to get them.

After completing the first game puzzle, you'll head down a hallway toward the leech room. Check the water here for the first relic - it’s submerged but visible.

Before entering the leech room itself, you can grab the second relic by whipping to the right from a bridge and jumping a small gap to a far ledge.

The third relic is deep in the leech-infested waters. You can either jump across stones to the center platform and navigate southeast, or whip along the room's edge to reach the center platform more safely. Just move fast - the leeches are hungry.

The Final Relic in Iraq

You won't find Iraq's final Ancient Relic on your first playthrough because it only spawns after you've beaten the main campaign. Once you're in post-game, head back to the Noah's Ark cavern - that's the massive one you've already explored.

Inside, look for the tent where the Voss cutscene triggers, and you'll find the relic waiting there. But don't get too excited just yet, because this isn't just a standalone collectible.

That relic is actually your ticket to the Secret Vault hidden in the chamber right before Voss' Tent, and that vault won't budge until you've gathered all 50 Ancient Relics. So while Iraq only contributes this one piece to the collection, it's absolutely essential if you're going for the true ending.

Pro Tips for Efficient Relic Hunting

Quest Activation and Map Markers

The moment you loot your first Ancient Relic in the Vatican, Riddles of the Ancients spawns ten purple magnifying-glass icons directly onto the map. These aren't just random pins - they're zone-based checklists that instantly disappear once you've nabbed the relic in that district. But here's the kicker: on Master Detective difficulty, those markers are completely hidden, which means you're exploring blind. The good news? If you collect all ten Vatican relics before you even set foot in Egypt, you'll snag the Antiquarian perk - and that highlights every remaining global relic on your world map.

Essential Gear and Upgrades

Your bullwhip isn't just for show - it's a full-on multi-tool for swinging across gaps, yanking enemies, and triggering distant switches whenever you spot those contextual white-circle prompts. And since there aren't any traditional lockpicks in the game, that whip becomes even more crucial. You'll crack open locked doors, crates, and padlocks by solving environmental puzzles, tracking down keys, or pulling distant latches with a well-aimed whip strike. Don't overlook temporary world items either: grab torches for dark chambers, shovels for buried treasure, and the rebreather for underwater passages - these are what let you reach relics hidden in the nastiest spots.

Post-Game Cleanup Strategy

Once the credits roll, you're not locked out - you can freely return to the Vatican, Giza, and Sukhothai hubs to mop up anything you missed. Fast travel becomes your best friend here, activated via signpost icons that show up as small circles on your map. The real prize is the 50th and final Ancient Relic, which is tucked inside the Ziggurat of Ur tent in Iraq - this one's post-game only, so don't go crazy searching early. One last tip: manually save at signposts before grabbing relics to protect yourself from glitches, since the game often auto-saves right after you pick one up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Any Relics Missable?

Let me kill the anxiety right now: no relic in the game is permanently missable. You can breathe easy knowing that leaving Sukhothai for Iraq won't lock you out of the 'Riddles of the Ancients' achievement.

The map's a little deceptive, though. It only displays a relic icon while you still need it in that region, so once you grab one, the icon disappears even though the item stays safe in your journal. Don't let that fool you into thinking you've lost something.

And here's the good news: since relics aren't tied to quest flags, you can dip out of the jungle anytime and return later with better gear like the Machu Picchu Stone. There's nothing stopping you from backtracking.

What Happens After Collecting All 50?

So you've hunted down all 50 relics - what's the payoff? The game spawns a new map icon for the Secret Vault, a post-game sequence inside the Ziggurat of Ur in Iraq that functions as the game's true ending.

Getting in isn't automatic. You'll need to arrange all 50 relics on the central dais, and the correct order is hidden in the details. Check the mural behind you and look for the small compass marks on each relic - those are your hints.

Inside the vault, you'll find a recording that finally reveals Gina Lombardi's fate, which is a huge deal if you've been following her story. You also earn the 'The Last Crusader' outfit for New Game+, grab 5,000 XP, and get to view some cool developer concept art. The secret ending also drops a line about the Great Circle staying hidden for another generation - something the standard finale never mentions.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Let's talk about the bugs, because they're annoying and can waste hours of your time.

The 50th relic sometimes refuses to spawn on Voss' table in Iraq if you insert the 49th relic before watching the end-game cut-scene. Instead of the final piece, you'll just find a spanner and some generic loot. If this happens, you're not crazy - the game just broke.

On PC, there's a workaround: open the console with ~, type Debug.GiveAncientRelic 50, then drop the item and loot it again to force the achievement flag. It's not elegant, but it works.

Achievement counter desync is another headache. Skipping a cut-scene while a relic is being handed over can confuse the tracker. The fix is simple: drop any relic, pick it back up, then save and reload. This re-queries the achievement server and should sync everything back up.

Finally, the Sukhothai journal might lie and say you have one discovery left even after collecting everything. To fix this, re-open the flooded-temple chest slowly while crouched, then open your journal before closing the chest. This re-sends the flag and clears the error.

Collecting all 50 Ancient Relics is the ultimate treasure hunt, granting you the 'Relic Hunter' achievement, a secret ending, and major story closure. Use the map markers and your whip to track them down, but watch out for post-game bugs. Now, get out there and prove you belong in a museum.