Question re: laying laminate on a basement floor

We are planning on laying laminate in our basement (there is not a moisture problem). When we removed the carpet that has been there for over 20 years (I know this because my mom installed in the carpet 20 years ago) we discovered a metal/steel cap in the concrete floor. My mom said she thinks it may be a cap for the septic. It sticks up about 1 1.5 inches. I don't even think we can cover it unless we put in a subfloor to even it out.and I don't even know if we should cover this? Should we lay flooring around it? It's obviously not been used in 20 years...maybe even 40. Thank you in advance.