Digital Iron Age: Data analysis using MySQL, QGIS, and R

Abstract

The interdisciplinary e-learning project ‘EisenzeitDigital’ (EZD) or ‘Digital Iron Age’, collects data from Iron Age sites across Bavaria in a MySQL database and studies their distribution using different plugin tools. These include programs such as QGIS for visualisation, MySQL for analysis based on algorithms and R for statistical analysis. Beyond usage of the database, the project also makes use of a WordPress environment as part of an inverted classroom approach. Here, lecture content is shared with students as prereading material in video or text format, while classroom time is purely dedicated to discussing topics in greater depth and clarifying open questions. In this setting, both lecturers and students share their work and have the opportunity to comment and interact in a non-hierarchical way. Our teaching approach, therefore, combines several goals: 1) training students in the handling of the aforementioned programs and the use of databases for scientific purposes, 2) studying the dynamics of Iron Age settlements and land use strategies in Bavaria between the 8th and 1st centuries BC and 3) assessing the biases (archaeological and non-archaeological) that may affect site distribution. Having used a virtual platform for several years prior, we were able to quickly transfer this technology to other courses when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020. This allowed for a smooth transition from classroom to online teaching and avoided significant disruption of the learning progress for our students in the affected academic terms.