Although the new civilisation map feature is not yet live (so we don't exactly know the entirety of the functions for it) it is fun to speculate on ways we could improve it based on the information we already have.
The basis of this suggestion is that via rumours spreaded in taverns (up on the mystical noteboards in worldgen taverns & via agents in certain civs), certain places & objects on the map light up with (?) or specific icons to signify the presence of a event, creature or item in which clicking on the icon with the new civilisation GUI will read out the existing status of that rumour for info.
- Well known rumours that are gathering age are more likely to be contested on, but early rumours can be VERY risky for the object of desire can be misinterpreted, it might be a magical goblet that can serve infinite alcohol buuut it's in the posession of a giant who squishes the under-armed escort you hastily send to collect it.
- Rumours can expire or exceed past their natural lifespan of the potential object, as well as be completely false in which to waste time but also give dwarves experience in leadership and a negative thought for being made a fool out of. Thankfully dwarves are patient enough to be fine playing such childish games as "Which rock is this magic goblet under?" even in the face of having to travel the surface. Urgh.
- Rumours/information also add flavour/informative text to towns about current events. Mainly re-iterating what the outpost liason says for consistency (as your official information source) and what you hear from your patrons.
Mainly this suggestion covers over objectives for expeditions to go get which aren't typically tied to a site (in such a case that a new site is generated for the purpose of the rumor if necessary or its just a wilderness location) and also works like a watered down quest system for fortress adventurers based on the web of intrigue that will be more present in the coming update.
Another big thing this seeks to address is what happens to loose objects that may have been stolen by animals or dropped by persons in the wild, either to clean up after big battles to loot some metal clothing for goblinite or reclaim that artifact/masterwork object stolen by a kea rightfully to its owner after the bird lost interest and went to traumatise another settlement.
No doubt mostly these quests will send you chasing down bits of rubbish & tat, but by luck and chance you might find a diamond in the rough (or a mimic, boo!) and new stories for Urist McFunnyman to recite that time the noble dwarves went looking for a invisible chicken tooth broach and ended up stuck in a tree as part of his routine.