Michael was an Associate Research Fellow at the University of Exeter in the UK. He has worked extensively as a topographical surveyor and professional archaeologist, most notably with the UK organisation English Heritage. His previous work in Brazil was focused on Jê settlement patterns in the highlands of Rio Grande do Sul, identifying new levels of complexity in the landscape. As part of the project he had led excavations in the highlands of Santa Caterina at the Abreu & Garcia site.