Just further confirming, i've found those spiral staircases in both the swamps(submerged) and the mountains. There is nothing to them, not even a chest. Perhaps in a future update there may be an accessible dungeon or some loot, but for now it's just pointless detail landmark.

Originally posted by ShaftAlmighty:

Just further confirming, i've found those spiral staircases in both the swamps(submerged) and the mountains. There is nothing to them, not even a chest. Perhaps in a future update there may be an accessible dungeon or some loot, but for now it's just pointless detail landmark.

The mountain ones can contain a chest but it's random and not a sure thing. The mountain ones can be turned into a pretty cool base from the screenshots people have posted.

I found one in the mountains. There was something in the bottom that made me pick through to a lower chamber, either a chest or silver, I can't remember. It turned into a panic moment because I got trapped down there without correct tools (think my pick broke from silver mining) while stuff was spawning on me up top and I kind of felt like it was designed as some kind of trap.

its known as "well", you can find similar in mountains. it contains nothing. just a sign of dissappeared civilization

Originally posted by Flare |UKCS|:

The op said it was in the Swamp, probably a error on their part but it was claimed to be in the swamp...

... I havent had much Mountain time, love building too much and so I tend to get stuck at the swamp. :P

I've seen other posts that had this structure also in the swamp. It must be a rarely occurring cosmetic, placeholder or misplaced mountain type thing.

Originally posted by us271934:

Originally posted by Flare |UKCS|:

The op said it was in the Swamp, probably a error on their part but it was claimed to be in the swamp...

... I havent had much Mountain time, love building too much and so I tend to get stuck at the swamp. :P

I've seen other posts that had this structure also in the swamp. It must be a rarely occurring cosmetic, placeholder or misplaced mountain type thing.

I usually find 1 or 2 in larger swamps, all underwater. A couple had Draugr in them. But I normally see these in the Mountains.

It's a neat doodad in the swamp, but thanks to the water level, there's nothing you can really do with that. You can also see these in mountains, where they are valuable places to set up shelters.

it makes sense if you read the rune stones

Originally posted by Flare |UKCS|:

The op said it was in the Swamp, probably a error on their part but it was claimed to be in the swamp...

That pic was definitely taken in the swamp.

there in the mountains as well unfinished perhaps

That is definitely not a Sunken Crypt. The structure pictured is mostly found in the Mountain biome. It has a stone staircase winding down to the bottom where there is a paved floor and possibly a chest and possibly a vegvisir. Vegvisirs are carved stones revealing a boss location.

It may also be found in the Swamp but fully or partially filled with water. One cannot access the flooded portion below one's chest because one cannot swim underwater. The Swamp Key is useless here since there is no gate to unlock.

I have never encountered one of these structures in a Meadows, Black Forest, or Plains but I haven't visited every location on the map. The original purpose of these structures remains a mystery to me.

No access in that. Just for looks I guess.

Originally posted by warrenchmobile:

That is definitely not a Sunken Crypt. The structure pictured is mostly found in the Mountain biome. It has a stone staircase winding down to the bottom where there is a paved floor and possibly a chest and possibly a vegvisir. Vegvisirs are carved stones revealing a boss location.

It may also be found in the Swamp but fully or partially filled with water. One cannot access the flooded portion below one's chest because one cannot swim underwater. The Swamp Key is useless here since there is no gate to unlock.

I have never encountered one of these structures in a Meadows, Black Forest, or Plains but I haven't visited every location on the map. The original purpose of these structures remains a mystery to me.

That´s exctly the info I was looking for. Thank you.

The op said it was in the Swamp, probably a error on their part but it was claimed to be in the swamp...

... I havent had much Mountain time, love building too much and so I tend to get stuck at the swamp. :P

In the swamp they are called sunken crypts, a lot of the spaces are underwater, some make you swim... most make you swim to dead ends but yes you get dungeons under water.

You need a Swamp Key from killing the Elder boss to access it.