Introduction to Desk Archaeology in Genshin Impact is a world quest that continues the Sumeru Desert " Golden Dreamland" arc. In the mission, the Traveler helps the scholar Tirzad, traveling with the Desert Dwellers Jebrail and Jecht, solve the mystery of a stone tablet. This time, their journey leads them to the Temple of Hemenu.

In this guide, we'll take a detailed look at how to complete the Introduction to Armchair Archeology quest in Genshin Impact, solve the puzzles in the Hemenu Temple, open the rooms at the back of the temple, as well as what rewards you can get at the end.

How to start the quest Introduction to Armchair Archeology

Starting Introduction to Desk Archaeology is easy—just complete the previous quest in the Golden Dreamland, Lost in the Sands quest chain . Immediately after completing the quest, a marker will automatically indicate the start of a new mission, which will appear in your quest log and on the Red Sands Slab.

Walkthrough of Introduction to Armchair Archeology in Genshin Impact

In the previous quest, the members of the archaeological expedition finally escaped the pit and now need to rest. Follow the quest marker to Sobek's Oasis , where they've set up camp. You need to speak with them.

After the cut-scene, Jabrail leaves everyone to rest, and he decides to look at the district from a height. Paimon is worried about him, so he invites the Traveler to follow him.

Find Jabrail and return to the camp

From the oasis, go west to the mountain where the air flow rises and there is a four-leaf symbol, thanks to which you can easily climb higher.

Jabrayil stands at the top of the mountain near a stone slab under a withered tree. After a short talk with the Hermit, return to the camp.

Immediately after returning, a cut-scene will start with a conversation in which the members of the expedition discuss their further journey. They decide to go further to the temple of Hemenu.

Travel to Hemenu Temple

Following the quest marker on the map, head northwest to the ruins, visible even from the oasis. Enter through the triangular door, turn right – a Dendroculus will be hovering above a headless statue.

The doors to the temple itself are closed, and it is impossible to get inside right away. However, Benben will open the passage. Move on after the cut-scene.

Keep exploring Hemenu Temple

There is a puzzle in the center of the next room, but access to it is closed for now - there is not enough power to open the rooms on the right and left, so come back here later. Follow on until you reach the door, near which Jeht and Benben are standing.

Turn right from it, towards the passage blocked by the Pedestal of Secret Rituals , and interact with it. Continue straight down the corridor until you reach a room with a Replicator Stone on the floor. To the right of it, near the scorpions, is a Primordial Light . Place it on the Replicator Stone to create a Candlestick with a Primordial Spark.

Don't forget to pick up the mysterious page in the room , which is lying near the primordial light on one of the tables. Activate the candlestick and follow the spark until it lands on the next pedestal.

Interact with her one more time and move on until she flies into one of the torches.

Now go to the left door and open it with the pedestal as well. At the bottom you will see the enemy that you need to defeat - Primordial Construct: Shaper.

After defeating him, the candlestick will be unlocked and you will be able to interact with it. Run the spark in the same way as the previous one.

After the spark flies into the torch, the central door will open. Go into it with the others.

Explore the lower floor of the Hemenu temple and return to the previous fork

Go straight down the corridor towards the quest marker, activate the teleport along the way. Near the tomb, a cut-scene will begin, in which the members of the expedition will decide to split up in order to better explore the temple.

Return to the previous fork to find clues . The previously locked doors are now unlocked.

Try to open the rooms located in the depths

First, enter the left door, where Jecht is standing. Follow the corridor straight ahead until you reach a large room ( be careful, there's a slab on the floor in the corridor that disappears when you step on it ) with a large structure in the middle.

Kill the enemy, then climb the structure in the room and activate the hourglass puzzle.

To solve it, you need to activate two more hourglasses within 30 seconds – one is located on the top right of the structure, the other on the top left. They are easily accessible using the four-leaf symbols.

After solving the riddle, an ordinary chest will appear, as well as a symbol that allows you to reach the primordial spark. Climb up with the four leaf symbol to the spark. Activate it and follow it.

Since the spark is marked and won't be lost, you can return to the corridor where the missing slab was. Jump down. You'll see a fairy there; follow her. The fairy will lead you to a room with a sealed Cage of Truth and invisible torches . The Tablet: Valley will also be here . You don't have enough power to unlock the Cage of Truth yet, but there's another puzzle in this room: you need to break all the vases. Scorpions will emerge from them; you must kill them too. After clearing the room, a regular chest will appear.

Follow the fairy further - she will lead you back to the hall with a large structure in the middle. Take the regular chest and continue sparking to the torch in the central room of the tomb.

Return to the fork near the teleporter and enter the right door. Go straight along the corridor in which you will meet Jabrail, to the room with a large ship.

Use the four-leaf symbol to board the ship, where you can pick up the Primordial Sun and the Dendroculus . The replicator stone for the Sun is located on the ship, just below the Dendroculus.

A candlestick with a spark will appear on the platform. Activate it and follow it through the disappearing platform below.

The spark will lead to a room with huge fans emitting a stream of air. Carefully guide the spark past them while they're off, so it doesn't get blown out, otherwise you'll have to start over. Lead the spark to the second torch near the tomb.

Use the lift and enter the back room

After solving the torch puzzle, the door leading to the elevator will open. Climb down on it to a room with a bright fresco.

Once you approach the fresco, a cutscene will begin in which Tirzad and Jebrail will argue over the image. Once the conversation ends, the fresco will open like a door, completing the quest and beginning the next part of the storyline— The Secret of Al-Ahmar.

Achievement Think Like Scientists from Vahumanana in Genshin Impact

Completing the quest will give you an achievement. Think like scientists from Vahumanana, reward for which 5 primogems.

Rewards

For completing the quest Introduction to Armchair Archeology, you can get:

• Adventure experience - x350;
• Source stone - x40;
• Mora - x40000;
• Hero experience - x3;
• Magic ore of enhancement - x3.

We hope our walkthrough of the "Introduction to Desk Archaeology" quest helped you unlock the rooms in the back and get behind the fresco. Ask questions in the comments and keep an eye on the Genshin Impact section on our website.