Archaeological investigations were undertaken during the construction of a multi-storey car park positioned close to the course of the river Lambro. The area, belonging to the church of Santa Maria al Carrobiolo, was occupied from the 13th to 16th century by the community of the Umiliati who worked in the wool manufacturing industry. Following the suppression of their order its assets passed to the order of the Barnabites. Important new
evidence emerged from the excavation and archive research:
1) the identification of the earliest occupation phase in the area (late-antique period);
2) the identification of the first constructed nucleus (medieval period);
3) the verification that the present single property of the Barnabite Fathers is the result of the joining of the assets of the Umiliati acquired in 1571 with later acquisitions;
4) the identification in the latter of buildings dating to the medieval period with functional connotations linked to the exploitation of water for textile production and laundering activities.
The occupation of the settlement has been divided into six phases:

Phase I: three late Roman walls

Phase II: the earliest nucleus of medieval construction; small rectangular rooms with cobble walls with some wooden elements; floors in beaten greyish mortar with a polished surface.

Phase III: the area was occupied by two separate buildings whose original structure was maintained, although with internal alterations and extensions, until their abandonment.

Phase IV: the buildings were enlarged with pavements in opus signinum or beaten mortar. In one of the rooms there were two series of circular cuts in a row, probably relating to the emplacement of machinery fixed to the floor (looms ?).

Phase V: alterations were made to the rooms such as the removal or blocking up of thresholds, additions to walls and new partitions built to change the function of some rooms and in order to repair others that were already in an advanced state of degradation.

Phase VI (end of the 13th-beginning of the 15th century): the activities undertaken in the preceding buildings ceased, leading to the abandonment of the structures and their partial demolition. A system of water channels, cisterns and collection tanks was built. (Stefania Jorio)