An archaeological excavation in Ta’ Latnija, Mellieħa, which pushed back evidence of human presence in Malta by around 1,000 years, is continuing to attract international attention.Prime Minister Robert Abela visited the excavation site, where the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage said National Geographic is currently preparing a feature on the discoveries.A number of international scientists are also travelling to Malta to examine and evaluate the findings.The discoveries at Ta’ Latnija challenged the previously accepted timeline of human presence on the Maltese Islands. They also provided evidence suggesting that Mesolithic communities were capable of travelling at least 100 kilometres across open sea, challenging previous assumptions about the maritime capabilities of hunter-gatherer societies at the time.Research at the site is also being used to reconstruct around 300,000 years of Malta’s climatic history, potentially offering researchers new information about climate change, its impact and the resilience of Malta’s ecosystem.Professor Eleanor Scerri said the research is backed by millions of euros in European funding and is creating opportunities for scientists as well as Maltese students to participate in the excavation and ongoing studies.“It is precisely at this site that Malta’s history is being rewritten,” Abela said, describing the discovery as one which has challenged what was believed until relatively recently.The Prime Minister also suggested that sites of this importance could have the potential to eventually be nominated for World Heritage Site status, while pledging continued government support for the protection of Malta’s archaeological heritage.Could this discovery change the way we understand Malta’s ancient history?•