In June-July and Septembre-October 2010 the excavation of the four kilns situated next to the Buca dei Falchi was completed. The investigation was extended to the area next to the road, where the building of the 18th century alum mine stood. It was thought that structures for water supply and regimentation necessary for the alum producing operations were situated in this zone (channels and cisterns). The excavation showed the existence of channels but brought to light evidence of a system comprising at least three productive structures, as yet of uncertain interpretation, with the exception of a “boiler” used during the leaching of the product and belonging to the type described in 16th century technical manuals.

The four kilns which were completely excavated were certainly originally created for torrefacation. However, the history of this Renaissance company, although shortlived (the exploitation was exhausted between 1507 and 1508) had its ups and downs and the productive structures were radically renewed on at least one occasion. The kiln excavations found evidence for the drastic reorganisation of the installations, one of which ended up as a coal store (kiln 4) and another as a storecupboard (kiln 3).

The function of kiln 1 remained substantially unaltered throughout its use.

On the contrary, kiln 2 underwent substantial modifications, as described in previous reports, suggesting its possible use as a boiler.

Below the imposing renaissance structures the excavations are bringing to light earlier evidence, as yet difficult to interpret, which however demonstrates that in the Monteleo area, in particular the plain that was to become the site of the alum mine, productive structures were already functioning. To date evidence is represented by stretches of wall made of roughly hewn stones, in some cases altered, bonded with earth. The walls are partially destroyed and completely covered by the profound restructuring of the plain following the construction of the alum kilns. The layers in phase with the walls produced a small amount of pottery, all datable to the 14th century, and significant fragments of copper and one lump of slag. Lastly, at a short distance from the walls a large mound of stones broken into homogeneous sized lumps was found; these were heavily altered but not yet subjected to firing, further proof of the productive nature of the structures being excavated.