Hidden medieval halls discovered beneath world-famous university as archaeologists sift through remains

Scientists recently unearthed the remains of multiple academic halls at Oxford University - revealing new insights into the lives of students in the Middle Ages.

The halls all predated the 1874 refounding of Hertford College. Since Hart Hall was created in the 1280s, the excavation yielded medieval finds. Officials said the discoveries spanned the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066 up to the 19th century.

Excavators also found remnants of medieval trade, including coins, trade tokens and even personal effects like combs and clothing buckles. 

But the star find was a perfectly preserved reading stone. 

The artifact, believed to be made of either rock crystal or glass, was used to help scholars magnify the words of medieval manuscripts.

He said it's "not only because it is so intact but because, unlike many archaeological finds, you can still use it for the purpose for which it was made."

"It seems very fitting that the construction of the new library has revealed such interesting evidence of historic book-making activities."