Michael Pisz
Lecturer
- Area
- Department of Archaeological and Forensic SciencesRichmond Building
Biography
Dr Michael Pisz is a Lecturer in Archaeological Prospection and Forensic Geophysics at the University of Bradford’s Department of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences. Holding a BA and MA in Archaeology and a PhD in Earth and Environmental Sciences, his work has primarily focused on near-surface geophysics and soil science applications in archaeological prospection. He has led and contributed to numerous international projects investigating a broad range of topics—from revealing prehistoric landscapes and Roman frontiers to sites of modern conflict and war atrocities. His current research bridges the gap between geoforensics and archaeological prospection, developing the emerging field of Dark Heritage Prospection. He applies advanced methods from both disciplines to locate, image, and interpret “unwanted heritage” at places with difficult pasts, shaping an archaeology fit for the challenges of the 2020s.
Teaching
Near-surface geophysics and remote sensing, dark heritage, archaeological prospection, forensic geophysics, soil science, GIS
Professional activities
Employment (4)
- University of Bradford - Lecturer in Archaeological Prospection and Forensic Geophysics (31 October 2022)
- University of Warsaw - Principal Investigator (8 July 2019)
- University of Warsaw - Senior Research Technician (1 February 2016)
- University of Warsaw - Principal Investigator (1 July 2014)
Journal reviews (2)
- Archaeological Prospection - REVIEWER
- Archaeometry - REVIEWER
Professional associations (3)
- International Society for Archaeological Prospection, Management Committee member (1 October 2019)
- International Society for Archaeological Prospection, member (1 January 2011)
- Aerial Archaeology Research Group, member (1 January 2011)
Publications
Book chapter (13)
Powrót do Osowej. Interdyscyplinarne badania archeologiczne kompleksu osadniczego kultury sudowskiej pół wieku po badaniach Kompleksowej Ekspedycji Jaćwieskiej
Iwona Lewoc;Michał Pisz;Artur Teodorski;Wojciech Belka (2024) Kompleksowa Ekspedycja Jaćwieska. Biografia i Dziedzictwo. In Małgorzata Karczewska;Maciej Karczewski;Mirosław J. Hoffmann;Bogdan Radzicki editor(s) Ośrodek Badań Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej. 337-356.
Understanding the anomaly: reinterpreting Porolissum Roman town with emerging GPR and ER data
MichaÅ Pisz;Vlad-Andrei Lazarescu;Alexandru Hegyi; (2023)
Understanding the Anomaly: Multi-Method Geoscientific Research Applied on a Roman Fort in Pojejena
(2019) New Global Perspectives on Archaeological Prospection.
"Where animals were equal to humans". Surprising results of complementary geophysical survey on gallows in Lower Silesia (Poland)
(2019) New Global Perspectives on Archaeological Prospection.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Data): 100-year Discussion over Roman Fort in Herzegovina solved with shards of information
(2019) New Global Perspectives on Archaeological Prospection.
The challenges of reconstructing the archaeological landscape around the castle in GoÅuchów, Poland MichaÅ
(2017) 12th International Conference of Archaeological Prospection.
Citind terenul din apropierea sitului arheologic Tibiscum. Rezultatele preliminare a doi ani de investigatii non-invazive
(2016) ArheoVest IV,2.
GraÄine â Central Place in the Hinterland of Ancient Narona? Preliminary Results of Cultural Landscape Project in LjubuÅ¡ki OpÄina, West Herzegovina
(2016) Landscape in the Past & Forgotten Landscapes.
Non-destructive Archaeological Survey in the Rural Territory of Tauric Chersonesos
(2015) Ad fines imperii Romani. Studia Thaddaeo Sarnowski septuagenario ab amicis, collegis discipulisque dedicata.
All roads lead to Tibiscum â results and perspectives of the non-destructive landscape survey of the roman fort and its surroundings
(2015) ArheoVest III,1.
Tibiscum and its Rural Territory in the Roman Period. Archaeological Landscape Investigations Using Non-Destructive Survey Methods
(2014) ArheoVest II, 2.
ZaÅożenie Rezydencjonalne Sapiehów w Dubnie. Prospekcja Geofizyczna.
(2013) ZaÅożenie Rezydencjonalne Sapiehów w Dubnie.
Remote sensing techniques in the study of civil settlement near Novae (Moesia Inferior)
(2013) Archaeological Prospection Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Archaeological Prospection.
Conference publication (10)
Understanding the Anomaly: geophysical survey on the arena of the Roman amphitheatre of Porolissum
Michał Pisz;Vlad-Andrei Lazarescu;Alexandru Hegyi;Tomasz Dziurdzik;Anna Mech (2025) ArcheoSciences. 49-1, 91-93.
On-site and understood? Evaluating meaning in the interpretation of geophysical data at Fountains Abbey
Chris Gaffney;Richard Dunn;Mark Newman;Michael Pisz;Dushyant Naresh;Danielle Taylor;Tom Sparrow (2025) ArcheoSciences. 49-1, 567-568.
Tangled in linear anomalies: “Roman villa” at the National Trust’s Beningbrough Hall washed down the drain?
Michał Szędzielorz;Lucy Benoit;Michał Pisz;Mark Newman;Armin Schmidt (2025) ArcheoSciences. 49-1, 47-50.
oTHALA -Tracing Hidden Archaeological Landscape of Arnafjörður
Martina Hulmanová;Michał Pisz;Margrét Hrönn Hállmundsdottir (2025) ArcheoSciences. 49-1, 31-34.
Geophysical insights into soil preservation and Neolithic settlement in Kuyavia’s glacial till landscapes (Poland)
Jeroen Verhegge;Gaston Mendoza Veirana;Roger Langohr;Michał Pisz;Michał Jakubczak;Philippe De Smedt (2025) ArcheoSciences. 49-1, 399-404.
The abandonment of Roman military installations in the river Trebižat valley (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Tomasz Dziurdzik;Michał Pisz;Mirko Rašić (2024) Strategy and Structures along the Roman Frontier. Proceedings of the 25th International Congress of . 2, 351-356.
Im dalej w las, tym wi̧ecej anomalii â możliwoÅci wykorzystania pomiarów geofizycznych w rozpoznawaniu zasobów archeologicznych na terenach leÅnych na przykÅadzie badaÅ w Puszczy BiaÅowieskiej
(2018) Metody geofizyczne w archeologii polskiej.
Krajobraz osadniczy Tibiscum (Rumunia) w Åwietle badaÅ nieinwazyjnych 2014â2016. Podsumowanie wyników projektu oraz perspektywy badawcze
(2018) Metody geofizyczne w archeologii polskiej.
The Wenner array not as black as it is painted - surveying shallow architectural remains with the Wenner array. A case study of surveys in SzydÅów, Poland, and Tibiscum, Romania
(2017) 12th International Conference of Archaeological Prospection.
Nieszawa: a forgotten medieval city in Poland discovered with the use of remote sensing techniques
(2013) Archaeological Prospection Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Archaeological Prospection.
Peer reviewed journal (11)
Roman auxiliary fort in Pojejena (CaraÈ-Severin County, Romania). The results of non-invasive and archival research (2017â2019)
Emil JÄczmienowski;MichaÅ Pisz;CÄlin Timoc; (2023) Polish Archaeology In The Mediterranean.
Geophysical Investigations within the Latus Dextrum of Porolissum Fort, Northwestern RomaniaâThe Layout of a Roman Edifice
Alexandru Hegyi;Vlad-Andrei Lazarescu;MichaÅ Pisz;László Lenkey;Mihály Pethe;Alexandru Onaca;MÄdÄlina Nica; (2023) Heritage.
Revisiting Caput Bubali â Results of the Topo Survey on the Roman Fort in CornuÈel (CaraÈ-Severin county)
CÄlin Timoc;MichaÅ Pisz; (2022) Analele Banatului.
History and Archaeology in Discourse on the DernbergâReconstructing the Historical Landscape of a Medieval Motte-and-Bailey Castle and Deserted Village
Roland Filzwieser;David RuÃ;Matthias Kucera;Michael Doneus;Gerhard Hasenhündl;Geert J. Verhoeven;Georg Zotti;Andreas Lenzhofer;Gerhard Stüttler;MichaÅ Pisz;Wolfgang Neubauer; (2022) Heritage.
Reinterpreting a âRoman villaâ site: First results of nondestructive archaeological research in DraÄevica (Donji RadiÅ¡iÄi, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Tomasz Dziurdzik;MichaÅ Pisz;Anna Mech;Mirko RaÅ¡iÄ; (2022) Archaeological Prospection.
Using Geophysics to Characterize a Prehistoric Burial Mound in Romania
Alexandru Hegyi;DragoÈ Diaconescu;Petru Urdea;Apostolos Sarris;MichaÅ Pisz;Alexandru Onaca; (2021) Remote Sensing.
The Castle Hill in Biecz and fortified stronghold in Kobylanka. The results of interdisciplinary research from 2019
PaweÅ KocaÅda;MichaÅ Pisz;Bernadetta Rajchel;MichaÅ Filipowicz; (2020) AnaâLecta ArchaâEoloâGica ResâSoâViensia.
Nonâdestructive research in the surroundings of the Roman Fort Tibiscum (today Romania)
MichaÅ Pisz;Agnieszka Tomas;Alexandru Hegyi; (2020) Archaeological Prospection.
Deserted Medieval Village Reconstruction Using Applied Geosciences
Alexandru Hegyi;Apostolos Sarris;Florin Curta;Cristian Floca;Sorin ForÈiu;Petru Urdea;Alexandru Onaca;Fabian Timofte;MichaÅ Pisz;Sergiu TimuÈ;MÄdÄlina Nica;Daiana Maciulschi;Andrei StavilÄ; (2020) Remote Sensing.
ContribuÅ£ii la cunoaÅterea aÅezÄrii civile de tip vicus militar de la Pojejena
(2018) Analele Banatului, S.N., Arheologie  Istorie.
The Tibiscum project: non-destructive research in Romania
(2015) Archaeologia Polona.