Can't Excavate

[JahloveAngel]

I do not have Ambitions installed (just the base and WA) and have been getting this problem. I've tried to excavate in all three locations been unable, although I haven't used multiple age levels. I don't believe I've tried to excavate on a lot either. That is something I'll try next time.

[Branr]

One workaround I found is to use buydebug to add excavation spawners to the unbuilt vacation home lots.  This spawns the excavation spots where you can use them, even if you don't own the lot.

[JahloveAngel]

One workaround I found is to use buydebug to add excavation spawners to the unbuilt vacation home lots.  This spawns the excavation spots where you can use them, even if you don't own the lot.

I can't believe I didn't think of that. Thanks for the tip!

[Yeshanu]

Thanks for that tip, Branr!

I've found three excavation sites that work with Ambitions--the burial mound in France, and the copper mine and Queen Hat-whatever-her-name-was' tomb in Egypt, and they're all within lots. I've posted on the Sims 3 forum asking for that bug to be fixed in the next patch, but it's not too much of a priority for me right now. I might try the uninstall/reinstall route, though, or I might try Branr's solution, though I hate using anything but build cheats.

[jestina]

They fix one thing and break several others.  At least I don't do much excavating but that's still kind of irritating.

[lianne]

You know those little excavation sites you find around the world adventures locations? The ones that usually have a few ribs sticking out of the ground and when you dig them up you find relics and other stuff?

Well it seems that I can't excavate them anymore, with any of my game files. I used to be able to do it but for the last few weeks none of my sims can do it, they just stomp around and shrug as if they can't get to it. They clearly can get to it though and I've tried it with all 3 destinations and various different dig sites and sims.

Has this happened to anyone else?

[Saltypaws]

I am going to merge this one with another one, same topic.

[wildredchild]

Lianne it is happening for loads of players and we are waiting on EA to fix it in a patch.  If you go through this thread, you will find a couple places that you can still excavate and also a workaround.

[lianne]

Sorry, I can't believe I totally missed this topic!

[Saltypaws]

No problem.  We all do it at one time or another.  You can still excavate on the burial mounds in France.  I was just there and I found three excavation sites on that little mound.  One is hidden in the grass and I would not have found that one if I hadn't seen someone else there digging.  The locals and explorers are always on that mound digging, so you usually have to share.  I start a conversation with them to draw them away from the site and then start digging myself. lol

[winnow]

One tip (related to Branr's) is to level the ground that the excavation site is on. If the ground that the spawner is on is completely level, it will usually spawn but it might take a few game days. I don't level the whole lot (unless it's not built on yet), just the area that the spawner is on.

One of the easiest ways to do this is to put the spawners on vacation home lots or, e.g., the Landgraab estate in France. Excavation sites not spawning on uneven or sloped ground seems to be a common problem since Ambitions. BTW, Saltypaws, I could not excavate on the burial grounds until I leveled the ground. I guess where you can excavate must vary. But I can't excavate anywhere unless the ground that the spawner is on (and generally the whole area that the green square is when you place the spawner, although IIRC sometimes it's ok if the corners are not completely level) is completely level.

Does anyone know how many of which level of spawner is in the various vacation countries? I usually add spawners on level ground to my vacation areas. However, I'd like to have approximately the same number of low, medium, high, fragment, general (etc.?) sites as an unmodified game would have if it were working properly.

[GenTheHen]

It's nearly been 4 months since I have been able to excavate (other than 3 spots mentioned here)
Seriously, is there ever going to be a patch for it?

[Pam]

It's nearly been 4 months since I have been able to excavate (other than 3 spots mentioned here)
Seriously, is there ever going to be a patch for it?

I feel safe in saying that, yes, they will eventually have a patch for it.  We're about due for a massive update, so hopefully it will be soon.

[Leto85]

I feel safe in saying that, yes, they will eventually have a patch for it.  We're about due for a massive update, so hopefully it will be soon.

You mean the update that comes with Late Night?

[Pam]

You mean the update that comes with Late Night?

I wasn't referring to that one specifically, just that there are so many issues currently in the game that EA must be working on some big patches.  It would be great if it gets fixed with Late Night.