Is there a way to claim dig artifacts without doing the swipe away sand thing? It was cute the first few times but now it's just annoying.

You can't disable it, but second best option: you can ignore it and after a few seconds it'll reveal itself. If you prepare the next dig before hand, you can bring up the Claim Artifact dialog box, ignore it, click the Start Dig button on the next dig, and just wait for the artifact to reveal itself & click Claim.

It's kind of hilarious that it is just a time based thing. Touching the sand doesn't actually do anything lol

There's smart people playing this game. Bring on the sand swiper script lol. With sound ;)

There is no point in swiping sand, cause you just have to wait a flat 6 seconds.

I wish i could turn the sand off, it's annoying.....

I wish my new artifact came in a nice present box, so I could unwrap it

No, the artifacts should be sexy characters you undress to get the prize. I mean sex appeal seems to have worked for lords mobile.