A team of archaeologists are using lasers to map out mysterious Iron Age tunnels scattered about the Scottish highlands which have baffled scholars for years.<br /><br />The method used involves a device called a Leica BLK360 laser scanner to map the site. <br /><br />The device fires lasers at the walls 10,000 times a second.<br /><br />This creates a detailed 3D map of the site, from which measurements can be taken. <br /><br />These measurements then produce an interactive map of the site, allowing archaeologists to study it without ever stepping foot in the dank tunnel.<br /><br />The research on the Cracknie souterrain started in February 2022. Cracknie, located in Borgies Forest, Scotland, is one of the best preserved Iron Age souterrains in the country.<br /><br />The tunnel was built 2,000 years ago and is 13 meters long and one meter high.<br /><br />Some believe the tunnels were used for storage, but others claim they were used for unknown spiritual or religious practices, or even to imprison slaves and hostages.<br /><br />Forestry and Land Scotland, which enlisted the archaeologists for the project said: "Souterrains are still an enigma.<br /><br />"[Cracknie souterrain] is one of the most important scheduled monuments on Scotland’s national forests and land."<br /><br />Now, a team led by Graeme Cavers, of AOC Archaeology, is using new technology to uncover the secrets of the tunnels, in a way impossible to do by hand.
