Ancient ruins in Ireland dating back to the Neolithic era have been discovered using lidar technology. The structures, called cursus monuments, are believed to have been used as 'pathways for the dead.'
Archaeologist James O'Driscoll utilized lidar technology to map the ancient monuments in Baltinglass. The cursus monuments range from 400 to 1,312 feet long and suggest a ritualistic or funerary purpose.
The cursus monuments were likely utilized for mourning processions or as a passage for the deceased to the afterlife, as indicated by their orientations towards the summer solstice and proximity to burial sites.
In addition to the cursus monuments, the lidar scan in County Wicklow revealed other structures like a hillfort from the Bronze Age and medieval ringforts, shedding new light on the region's ancient history.
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