- Home
- FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Sixteen answers to the questions players ask most, grouped by setup and gameplay.
Frequently asked
Answers on downloads, installation, safety, updates, licensing and alternatives.
Download and setup
Is Fossils and Archeology Mod free to download?
Yes. The mod is completely free. The Revival team publishes every build on Modrinth and CurseForge at no cost, and the source is on GitHub. You never need to pay, sign up or complete a survey to get it. If a site asks for payment or pushes an .exe installer, leave it, because the real mod is always a .jar file.
Which Minecraft versions are supported?
Current releases cover Minecraft Java 1.18.2, 1.19.2, 1.19.3, 1.19.4 and 1.20.1. Older, separate builds exist for 1.12.2 and 1.7.10 and are still popular in classic modpacks. Always match the mod file to your exact game version and loader, because a 1.19.2 build will not load on 1.20.1 even though the numbers look close.
Do I need Forge or Fabric?
Either works for modern versions. The team ships a Forge build and a Fabric build for each supported Minecraft version. Pick the one that matches the rest of your mods. Forge builds also need TerraBlender, while Fabric builds need Fabric API. Both loaders require Architectury, GeckoLib and More Hitboxes installed alongside the mod.
What other mods do I need to install?
The mod depends on Architectury API, GeckoLib and More Hitboxes on both loaders. Forge players also need TerraBlender, and Fabric players need Fabric API plus the Fabric version of TerraBlender. Missing one of these is the most common reason the game crashes at launch, so install all of them before your first test run.
How do I install it with the Modrinth App?
Create a new instance with your chosen loader and game version, open Discover content, search for Fossils and Archeology Revival and click Install. The app pulls the required dependencies automatically, which removes most setup errors. Launch the instance once, create a new world and check that fossil blocks appear in stone underground.
Can I add it to an existing world?
Yes, but new structures and fossil ores only generate in chunks that have not been explored yet. Travel into fresh territory to find them. Back up the world before adding any large content mod, because removing the mod later deletes its blocks, creatures and items from the save.
Is there a Minecraft PE or Bedrock version?
No official one exists. Fossils and Archeology Revival is a Java Edition mod built for Forge and Fabric, and those loaders do not run on Bedrock. Add-ons that borrow the name on Bedrock marketplaces are made by other creators. Android players can run the Java version through a Java launcher such as PojavLauncher, with some performance limits.
Does it work with NeoForge?
NeoForge is not listed as an official target on the project pages at the time of writing. The 1.20.1 Forge build is the closest option, and NeoForge for 1.20.1 is largely Forge-compatible, but results depend on your other mods. For a stable modpack, use the official Forge or Fabric build until a NeoForge file is published.
Gameplay and safety
Is Fossils and Archeology Mod safe?
The official files are safe. They are scanned by Modrinth and CurseForge and the source code is public on GitHub. Risk only appears when you download re-uploads from unknown mirrors. Stick to the official pages, check the file ends in .jar, and compare the SHA-256 hash shown on the Modrinth version page with your downloaded file.
How do I revive my first dinosaur?
Mine fossil blocks to collect bio-fossils, then put them in an Analyzer to get DNA. Load the DNA into a Culture Vat with the materials it asks for to grow a dinosaur egg. Put the egg down in a warm, lit spot and wait. Stay close while it hatches so the baby imprints on you and becomes tame.
How do I tame and feed creatures?
Newly hatched creatures that see you first are tame. Keep them fed, because hungry dinosaurs can turn on players and livestock. Fill a Feeder with meat or plants depending on the diet, and use the Dinopedia to check hunger, mood and age. Larger tame species can be ridden with a whip.
Why won't my egg hatch?
Most failed hatches come down to temperature. Land eggs need warmth, so place them near light sources and away from snow or cold biomes. Aquatic eggs must sit in water. Check the egg with the Dinopedia to see its progress, and make sure mob spawning or a protection plugin is not blocking entity creation.
Will the mod hurt performance?
A few dinosaurs cost very little. Performance drops when dozens of large creatures crowd into loaded chunks, because each one runs path-finding and animations. Keep herds in separate enclosures, allocate 6 to 8 GB of RAM for larger packs and add a performance mod such as Embeddium or Sodium where your loader supports it.
Does it work on multiplayer servers?
Yes. Install the same mod and dependency versions on the server and every client. Mismatched versions are the usual cause of connection errors. On busy servers, set sensible creature limits in the config file and consider claim protection so players cannot release predators into shared spawn areas.
Where can I report bugs or crashes?
Use the issue tracker linked from the official Modrinth and CurseForge pages, or the team's Discord. Include your Minecraft version, loader, mod version and the full crash report from the crash-reports folder. Clear reports get fixed faster, and many known issues already have a workaround posted there.
What are good alternatives?
JurassiCraft is the closest match on 1.12.2 and focuses on park building. Prehistoric Nature leans toward scientific accuracy across many geological periods. Prehistoric Fauna offers highly detailed models. Fossils and Archeology stands out for combining revival, archaeology and exploration in one mod on modern Minecraft versions.
Troubleshooting
Most problems come from versions or dependencies. Find your symptom and apply the fix.
| Common error | Fix |
|---|---|
| Game crashes on launch | A dependency is missing or the wrong version. Install Architectury, GeckoLib, More Hitboxes and TerraBlender (plus Fabric API on Fabric) for your exact game version. |
| Mod does not appear in the list | The file sits in the wrong folder or the loader profile was not selected. Put the .jar in the mods folder of the active instance and launch the Forge or Fabric profile. |
| No fossils underground | Fossil blocks only generate in new chunks. Explore unvisited areas or start a fresh world after installing. |
| Low FPS near herds | Too many large creatures are loaded at once. Spread them across enclosures, lower render distance and allocate more RAM. |
| Cannot join a server | Client and server versions differ. Match the mod and every dependency version exactly on both sides. |
Known issues
- Removing the mod deletes its creatures and blocks from worlds.
- Unofficial NeoForge use may break after other mod updates.
- Very large herds can stall path-finding on busy servers.
Performance tips
- Allocate 6 to 8 GB of RAM in larger packs.
- Add Embeddium on Forge or Sodium on Fabric.
- Split herds across enclosures in different chunks.
Get update alerts first
One short email when a new build lands, with what changed and whether your loader is covered. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.