PACK Underwater Archaeology of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea

The Project and Course

General Information

Description: The pack is a combination of the two Balkan Heritage Field School (BHFS) projects focused on underwater archaeology in Nessebar, Bulgaria and Marsaskala, Malta.

Package type: field school & underwater archaeology. 

Sites: The submerged heritage of ancient Mesambria, present-day Nessebar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast and the late Roman harbor in Marsaskala, Malta.

Period(s) of occupation: Classical and Hellenistic (7th century - 3rd century BCE), Roman and Late Roman (1st century BC - 6th century CE) and Medieval 

Project Partners:    

• Centre for Underwater Archaeology (CUA), Bulgaria;   
• Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, Malta
• New Bulgarian University, Bulgaria;   

Venues of the projects in the Pack: Nessebar, Bulgaria and Marsaskala, Malta.

Field School Dates: May 23 – July 04, 2026 (See the pack's session dates in the table below!)

Application Deadline: until the places are filled, or by April 23, 2026

Minimum length of stay: Six weeks

Minimum age: 18 

Number of field school places available: Maximum 8

Language: English

Experience required: See special requirements below.   

Visa Note: Citizens of the EU, EEA, UK, USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand do not need entry visas for Bulgaria and Malta. Those from countries not specified should check in advance if they require entry visas for either or both countries, and any associated costs will be the responsibility of the participants.

Special requirements: The project is not recommended for individuals with solar allergies or other medical conditions that may be exacerbated by intensive outdoor and underwater activities. The average May-June temperatures in the area are 25-35 ⁰C (77 - 95⁰ F) or higher. The average water temperature in the area in late May - June is 18-22 ⁰C (64 - 72⁰ F). The depth in the area of survey and excavations is 2 - 10 m (7 - 22 ft). In addition, due to diving regulations in Malta, participants must have an Advanced Open Water certificate (or equivalent) in order to be able to dive in the second field school in the project pack. Alternatively, they can become certified during the first three weeks in Nessebar, Bulgaria. Note: The cost of the AOW certificate is not included in the reimbursement payment for the field school. For prices and additional information, see the scuba diving center "Angel Divers" website.

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The Project Package

The UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE MEDITERRANEAN AND THE BLACK SEA PACK combines the following Balkan Heritage Field School (BHFS) projects:     

Please visit the project web pages above for all the details concerning each site, excavation and field school project as well as each field school's program, recommended readings, travel & accommodation information and other practicalities!

Our admission officer is ready to answer all your questions concerning the UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE MEDITERRANEAN AND THE BLACK SEA PACK! In addition, the BHFS can provide alumni contacts for further feedback about the field school projects in the package.

Travel & Accommodation   

Travel  

Venues of the projects in the Pack: Nessebar, Bulgaria and Marsaskala, Malta. Participants in the pack will be expected to arrive first in Nessebar, Bulgaria.

The nearest air terminals: Sofia Airport, Burgas Airport (35 km) and Varna Airport (100 km). A transfer to Nessebar can be arranged upon request and shared by several participants. 

How to get there? Bus lines connect Nessebar with Burgas and Sofia (the Bulgarian capital). A detailed travel info-sheet for reaching the hotel from the nearest international airport will be provided for enrolled students. 

Travel between the field school projects in the pack: 

There are convenient, direct, low-cost flights from Sofia Airport to Malta International Airport. All students are individually responsible for arranging and covering the cost of their trip to the host countries, including booking flights and obtaining any necessary travel documents or visas (if applicable). A transfer from Nessebar to Sofia Airport can be arranged upon request and shared by several participants.   

Visa Requirements: Citizens of the EU, EEA, UK, USA, Canada, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, and New Zealand do not need a visa to visit Bulgaria and Malta. Citizens of all other countries may need a visa. The Balkan Heritage Foundation can provide an official invitation letter to facilitate the visa application process at the relevant embassy. For further details, please visit our visa information page. Bulgaria and Malta are full member of the Schengen Area and part of this borderless zone, allowing people to travel between Bulgaria, Malta and other Schengen countries without passport checks at land borders. Holders of a valid Schengen visa issued by another Schengen country can enter Bulgaria and Malta using that visa.

Accommodation & Meals & Free Time & Practicalities        

Accommodation and breakfast on working days are covered by the admission fee. Please, visit each field school project's page for all the details about accommodation, meals, free time and other practicalities.

Underwater Archaeology in the Black Sea

Underwater Archaeology in Malta

Trips

The complete program of the UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE MEDITERRANEAN AND THE BLACK SEA PACK has the following scheduled tours covered by the admission fee:  

The Cost   

All field schools are organized as non-profit initiatives by the Balkan Heritage Foundation. The expenses related to participation in the field school, including costs incurred by participants, are financed through reimbursement payments made by the participants themselves.

BHFS project reimbursement payment includes coverage for: educational and fieldwork activities, accommodation and meals, tools and materials, access to project readings, issuance of a Certificate of Attendance, administrative costs, and travel related to fieldwork and excursions included in the program, along with relevant entrance fees.

BHFS project reimbursement payment does not cover: travel expenses to and from Sofia, nor any costs associated with activities not included in the field school program. Additionally, it does not include medical products and services or any expenses related to medical quarantine (such as food delivery or accommodation).

The costs in USD are approximate. Please check current exchange rates!  

Cost for 2026:

The Cost for the pack is 10,999 EUR / approx. 12,700 USD

Reimbursement Transfer Options:

- Bank transfer
- Online transfers via the Balkan Heritage virtual POS Terminal. VISA, MASTERCARD & MAESTRO cards are accepted.      
-  Wise money transfer

For further information, contact the Admissions Office at: [email protected]!

 Discounts off the regular cost:

* 5% DISCOUNT OFF the regular cost available for:

1. Participation in more than one BHFS project in 2026 (discount applies to the second, third, etc. project).
2. Membership in the Archaeological Institute of America.

* 10% DISCOUNT OFF the regular cost available for:

1. Participation in any BHFS project/s in the past.

* 12% DISCOUNT OFF the regular cost available for:

1. Group Participation (three or more people who participate together in one BHFS project in 2026). The discount is valid for each participant.

* 15% DISCOUNT OFF the regular cost is available for:

1. Group Participation (three or more people, who participate in more than one BHFS project in 2026 (the discount is valid for each participant).
2. BHFS alumni, who participate in more than one BHFS project in 2026. (discount applies to the second, third, etc. project).
3. BHFS alumni who attended a full project in the past and return to the same project.

NOTE, 5% OF EVERY COST FOR THIS PROJECT DIRECTLY SUPPORTS THE BALKAN HERITAGE PROTECTION FUND'S ACTIVITIES!

For more information about scholarships, low-cost flights, hotels, etc. please feel free to contact us or look at our recommended links.

Academic Credits   

New Bulgarian University grants 18 ECTS credits to students for attending the whole pack. Transcripts of Records (ToR) are available upon request for an additional tuition fee of 400 EUR for EU students and 600 EUR for Non-EU students.

For details: Regulations for obtaining Transcripts of Records.

Participants in the field school who do not need academic credit units are not expected to pay for them.