Treasure Hunter's Guide: Uncovering Every Hidden Artifact in Uncharted 3's Opening Chapters
Embarking on Nate Drake's perilous journey in Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception isn't just about the heart-pounding set pieces and the unraveling mystery of the "Atlantis of the Sands." For the dedicated explorer, a significant part of the adventure lies off the beaten path, in the quiet corners and hidden crevices where history's lost treasures wait to be found. If you've ever found yourself meticulously scouring every ruin and alleyway, worried you might have missed a glint of gold, you've come to the right place. This comprehensive guide is your trusted companion, designed to walk you through the precise locations of every treasure in Chapters 1 through 5, ensuring you can fully immerse yourself in the thrill of the hunt without the frustration.
Navigating these early levels can be tricky. The pacing shifts from a frantic brawl in a London pub to a quiet, exploratory flashback and the bustling streets of Cartagena. It's easy to get swept up in the narrative and overlook the subtle environmental clues that point to a hidden collectible. We'll not only tell you where to look but also provide the context and simple directions you need to snag these artifacts seamlessly. So, grab your journal, and let's begin our treasure-hunting expedition.
Chapter 1: The Setup - Treasures (2 Total)
This chapter is a masterclass in controlled chaos, throwing you into a brutal bar fight. Amidst the flying fists and shattered glass, it's crucial to keep a keen eye on your surroundings. Both treasures here are tucked away in the initial brawl area, so be sure to collect them before you follow Talbot through the door, triggering the point of no return.
- Silver Scorpion Ring: Immediately as the fight begins, turn around and face the booth you and Sully were sitting in. On the seat of the booth, you'll find this gleaming silver ring. It's your first easy find and a great way to start your collection.
- Silver Muffin Box: After dispatching the first few thugs, focus on the central area of the pub. Look for a small, elevated section with a pool table. On a round, barrel-like table next to the pool table, you will spot this ornate little box. It's easily missed if you're solely focused on the fisticuffs.
Chapter 2: Breaking and Entering - Treasures (3 Total)
The pace changes to stealth and traversal in this chapter. You'll be navigating rooftops and sneaking into a high-security London museum. The treasures here are scattered throughout this vertical journey.
- Fine Silver Snuff Box: After the initial rooftop climb and shimmying across a pipe, you'll drop down into a more enclosed rooftop area with greenhouses. Before entering the first greenhouse, check the corner to your left. The snuff box is sitting on a wooden crate next to some potted plants.
- Antique Silver Cufflinks: Once you've navigated through the greenhouses and are making your way across the main museum roof, you'll come to a section where you need to jump to a ledge with a white air conditioning unit. The treasure is sitting right on top of this AC unit. Don't just jump across; make sure you land on the unit to grab it.
- Jade Figurine: This is the only treasure inside the museum itself. After successfully sneaking in through the skylight and descending into the main exhibit hall, you'll solve a puzzle involving a light beam and a large globe. Once you retrieve the ring from the astrolabe and the cutscene ends, turn around. Instead of heading for the exit immediately, go back to the now-opened compartment of the astrolabe. The Jade Figurine is sitting inside, a final prize for your cleverness.
Chapter 3: The Medusa Signal - Treasures (4 Total)
This chapter is a treasure hunter's dream and a potential nightmare, as it's incredibly easy to miss one and be locked out. This is the infamous "no-return" chapter. You must find all four treasures before you jump across a wide gap to a stone pillar, which triggers a collapse and makes it impossible to go back. Be thorough!
- St. Eustace Pendant: Shortly after the chapter begins, you'll climb down into a large, water-logged cavern. Instead of following Sully, turn right and swim into a small, dark alcove. The pendant is on a ledge in this alcove, waiting to be found.
- Persian Bronze Dagger: Later, you'll use a crank to lower a platform and raise another, allowing you to climb up to a new area. Once you're up, don't proceed forward just yet. Look to your right to see a climbable wall. Scale this wall to find the dagger on a secluded ledge overlooking the chamber.
- Bronze Astrolabe: In the same large chamber with the cranks and platforms, after some more climbing, you'll reach a long, horizontal beam. You need to walk across this beam. About halfway across, look down and to the left. You'll see a small platform below. Carefully drop down to it to find the astrolabe. This is a classic Naughty Dog "look down" moment.
- Gold And Silver Ring: This is the most easily missed treasure in the entire sequence. Just before the point of no return, you'll enter a rectangular room with a deep pit in the center. You'll swing across this pit. On the side you land on, immediately turn right. The ring is on a small, dusty stone ledge in the corner. Grab it, then make the final jump to the pillar.
Chapter 4: Run to Ground - Treasures (1 Total)
A very short chase chapter, but it still holds one solitary treasure. You need to be quick, as you're being pursued.
- Antique Silver Cigarette Case: As you burst out of the museum into the rainy London streets, you'll sprint down an alley and slide under a closing garage door. You'll come out into a courtyard. Immediately after sliding under the door, turn sharp left. The cigarette case is on the ground, tucked against the wall behind some trash bags. If you miss it here, there's no going back.
Chapter 5: The Chateau - Treasures (3 Total)
This chapter is a lengthy flashback to Nate's youth in Cartagena. The treasures are spread throughout the vibrant and crowded streets, requiring a bit of exploration off the main path.
- Brass Vesta Case: After your first encounter with young Sully, he'll tell you to nick a shirt from a market stall to blend in. Before you do that, go to the far right side of this small plaza. In a recessed doorway, next to a sleeping man and some crates, you'll find this first treasure.
- Antique Pocket Compass: Once you have your disguise, you'll follow Sully through the streets until he stops by a large, ornate fountain. He'll tell you to case the museum. Instead of heading straight there, turn around and go down the small set of stairs to the left of the fountain (if you're facing the direction Sully pointed). The compass is on a bench in this quieter, lower area.
- Decorated Brass Horn: This is found inside the chateau itself. After solving the clock tower puzzle and entering Sir Francis Drake's study, you'll watch a cutscene. Once you regain control, turn around and look at the large wooden globe directly behind you. The horn is sitting on a small shelf built into the base of this globe.
And there you have it! With this guide, you've successfully secured all 13 treasures from the opening act of Uncharted 3. Not only does this put you well on your way to that coveted "Loot Found" trophy, but it also enriches your experience, allowing you to appreciate the incredible detail the developers poured into every environment. Each artifact tells a small, silent story, and now you're the keeper of those stories. Happy hunting, and good luck with the rest of your adventure in the Rub' al Khali
