Excavations at the former Loria hat-making factory were undertaken over several seasons between December 2005 and May 2006. The building, which dates to the early 20th century, is to become the new home of the Public Library. The excavation, which was carried out due to the necessity of constructing underground premises for the archive, touched on the wide northern moat of the castrum Carpense, up against the Palazzo dei Pio. Several walled structures and posts were uncovered, dating from the 12th-13th century to the modern period. The 12th-13th century remains are the earliest structures found to date at Carpi. The excavation data relating to the late medieval and Renaissance periods is confirmed by data from historic documents. However, it also provides a more accurate and redefined picture of the mechanisms behind the interventions carried out on the castle’s defensive walls and their specific characteristics. In the second half of the 17th century the moat was almost completely filled, as shown by a historic map (bird’s eye view by Luca Nasi). The pottery found dates from the end of the 13th-14th century to the mid 17th century. Archeobotanic analyses were undertaken on several pollen and wood samples. Radiocarbon dating on post no 7 confirmed the dating of the earliest structures. (Carla Corti)