Mike Yianopoulos is the SCBPT’s Archaeological Field Technician, GIS Specialist, and Database Manager. He played a key role in locating and mapping the previously undiscovered site of the Revolutionary War Battle at Tar Bluff (August 25–27, 1782) in Colleton County, SC, the battle in which the Patriot John Laurens was killed in action. He also helped identify and document the previously undiscovered Confederate Battery “Burnett” located overlooking the Combahee River, SC. This Confederate Battery was responsible for the destruction of the Federal gunboat, USS Dai Ching in a battle on January 26, 1865.

Mike has a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Charleston. He is retired with 34 years of service with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources as a Wildlife Biologist. Mike also served SCDNR as a Geographic Information Systems Specialist, IT Support Specialist, and Database Manager. Mike is certified as a Master SCUBA Diver and served as his section’s Diving Safety Officer.

Mike has a strong background in South Carolina military history and research and has four decades of experience in metal detection site research and surveys. He is proficient with ESRI products (ArcGIS, ArcMap, ArcView, and ArcInfo), a variety of GPS products, and various metal detectors including Magnetometers/Magnetic Gradiometers. He is also proficient in the use of LiDAR as an archaeological mapping tool. 

He finds the research and discovery of good primary accounts of events, particularly those of the Revolutionary War period, to be both challenging and rewarding. However, he enjoys the opportunity to interpret historical events for future generations, helping them better understand and preserve our history.