Construction work in urban areas sometimes reveals much more than foundations. At Oxford, a little-known part of European academic history has just emerged under the cobblestones of a prestigious college. While digging to build a new library, archaeologists uncovered the remains of three medieval halls, accompanied by objects of study and daily life dating from the 13th century. These discoveries, made under Hertford College, shed concrete light on the daily lives of students at a time when access to knowledge was reserved for a minority.
The unearthing of a perfectly preserved reading stone reinforces this tangible link between ancient practices and contemporary ambitions. This excavation now makes it possible to precisely reconstruct the uses, tools and learning spaces which contributed to forging the intellectual identity of Oxford.
Rediscovering Oxford's forgotten university space
Excavations under the historic quadrangle of Hertford College have revealed the rears of three academic structures dating from the 13th century: Hart Hall, Black Hall and Catte Hall. These buildings, which disappeared during the architectural reorganizations of the university, constitute the first places of teaching and community life for medieval students. Hart Hall, founded around 1280, represents one of the historical cores of the university. Long before the official refoundation of the college in 1874.
The structures found are not entire buildings. These are fragments of walls, floors and foundations, which nevertheless make it possible to reconstruct the spatial organization of the places. These halls served as accommodation, refectory and study room. The remains bear witness to a dense environment, without modern comfort, but structured around the intellectual and religious needs of the time.
The dating of the materials confirms an occupation ranging from the 11th to the 19th century, with successive layers of use. Research also indicates that these places were adapted several times over the centuries before disappearing in later reconstructions. These excavations offer a rare stratigraphic reading of the evolution of educational practices in Oxford.
This is a unique opportunity for archaeologists. Indeed, this type of digging in the heart of colleges remains extremely limited by heritage and functional constraints. This project, initiated by the construction of a modern library, therefore allows a valuable reading of the material history of university education in medieval Europe.
An intact reading stone revealing medieval intellectual practices
Among the objects exhumed, a perfectly preserved reading stone constitutes an exceptional discovery, reports the University press release. Used since the early Middle Ages, this primitive lens – made of glass or rock crystal – was used to enlarge the letters of manuscripts. This made it easier to read by candlelight or in dim light. It measures a few centimeters in diameter, and its rounded shape indicates that it worked by direct contact with the surface of the text.
Ben Ford, project manager at Oxford Archaeology, describes this artifact as “ a direct material testimony of scholarly reading practices “. He insists on New York Post. “ This stone is remarkable not only because it is intact, but above all because it is still perfectly functional “. » Its state of conservation is rare, because these objects are often damaged or fragmented when they are found.
© Hertford College
This lens probably dates from the second half of the 13th century, a period of intellectual expansion in European universities. Students and teachers used it to read hand-copied manuscripts, including religious, legal or philosophical texts. Its use precedes the arrival of glasses, attested for the first time at the end of the 13th century in Italy.
Historically, the reading stone marks a transition in cognitive history. It accompanies the transition from oral knowledge to textual culture. As historian Eleanor Markham notes, cited by Arkeonews« this tool symbolizes the profound change in access to knowledge, now based on individual silent reading rather than oral transmission “. Its discovery in Oxford, in the context of the construction of a modern library, underlines the astonishing continuity of reading tools across the centuries.
The material daily life of medieval students brought to light
Beyond scholarly structures and tools, the excavations revealed a rich variety of objects illustrating the everyday life of medieval students at Oxford. Waste pits yielded food scraps. Including sheep, pork and poultry bones, oyster shells, as well as fish bones. Remarkably, several fish species identified came from the River Thames in London, located almost 80 kilometers away. This reveals well-established supply circuits from the Middle Ages.
Archaeologists also unearthed personal items: bone combs, belt buckles, trade tokens, coins. But also unexpected leisure accessories like wooden bowling balls. These indicate that students engaged in outdoor play, incorporating early forms of structured leisure.
We also find clay pipes, witnesses of later social habits (probably post-medieval), as well as drinking goblets and glazed ceramic dishes. The analysis of objects by typology and dating made it possible to differentiate periods of occupation. We note with a peak of activities between the 13th and 15th centuries.
These discoveries help humanize the students of this era, often perceived through an austere vision. They show an intellectual youth living in community, sharing meals, rites, studies, but also leisure activities. The contrast between the demands of knowledge and traces of sociability found enriches our understanding of medieval university life. For researchers, this data is valuable. They make it possible to anchor the history of universities in a tangible, material, and profoundly human reality.
An archaeological site serving heritage and the public
All of the discoveries are part of a vast redevelopment project at Hertford College. Particularly with the construction of a new library planned for the 2026-2027 academic year. This infrastructure will bring together modern and historical collections in an accessible, energy-efficient building incorporating a space dedicated to heritage funds. To comply with conservation obligations, the excavations took place exhaustively before any resumption of the site.
On September 6, 2025, the college opened its doors to the public for an exceptional day, in partnership with Oxford Archeology and construction company Beard. The event attracted more than 650 visitors, who came to discover the objects on display, chat with archaeologists and explore behind the scenes of this unique excavation. Historical books from the library were also presented, creating a dialogue between ancient manuscripts and archaeological remains.
Pat Roche, interim principal, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “ This is the biggest transformation of the college in a century. This day was a unique opportunity to share our story and welcome the community to the heart of our evolution “. Opening to the public also met a regulatory condition. It requires educational access to the excavation before work resumes.
This project highlights the value of heritage buried in university spaces. It shows how contemporary requirements – accessibility, sustainability, modernity – can dialogue with ancient layers of knowledge. Some of the objects discovered, including the reading stone, will be exhibited in a future museum space integrated into the library… So that the past continues to inspire future generations.
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