Mapping Iowa City's beer caves

Skibbe said the LIDAR scanner — a detection system that uses light from a laser and works on the principle of radar — will collect points of data that will be patched together to render a high-definition, 3-D image of the caves.

Mark Anderson, a research archaeologist with the Office of the State Archaeologist, came along for the trip and said LIDAR technology is typically used by aircraft to map the landscape of the ground below.

Marlin Ingalls, an archaeologist and architectural historian with the Office of the State Archaeologist, also was in tow during the mapping to provide historical context.

Dunshee said he has a particular interest in using LIDAR and GIS-related technology for archaeological sites in order to better plan digs and preserve historic artifacts and architecture.

Skibbe said he may need to return to the caves if there are gaps in the imaging, but the final product will be posted online and will provide those who are not able to climb down into the caves or who are too claustrophobic the chance to experience a piece of Iowa City brewing history.