The Malta Airport Foundation is also supporting the ongoing excavation of a Phoenician shipwreck just off Xlendi bay in Gozo. Dating back to the 7th century BC, the wreck was discovered in 2007 and is just the eighth archaic Phoenician shipwreck to be located.

The ship itself has very likely been partially eroded, but the mixed cargo on board, including Tyrrhenian amphorae, urns and Gozitan ceramics, was the first of its kind to be found intact. The discovery of this cargo reinforces the argument that the Maltese islands were an important part of the Phoenician maritime and trading network.

Hailing from all corners of the world and led by a local maritime archaeologist, a team of highly technical divers is gradually recovering these artefacts. Some of these artefacts were put on exhibition at the Gozo Museum of Archaeology in September 2018 for the appreciation of both locals and tourists, serving to heighten awareness of our underwater cultural heritage.

Take a behind the scenes look at what goes into a diving season below.