This section of wall was perhaps a complete wall with 7344, but two vertical cuts, one on the northern side of 7269 and 7344 seems to have created two passageways between Room 7 and 8, which may have been for a pipe or drain. It also matches in size and shape to a cut that separated 7267 from 7278 in Room 8.
Room 7 analysis: Upon observation, this room underwent several different phases of modification. It appears that the room once had a more open layout (perhaps one single room with room 8) but was closed in by the construction of certain concrete walls. In the central south west portion of the room are two tufo blocks (7303) which possibly served as weight bearing platforms. Stratigraphic analysis indicates that these two tufo blocks were most likely part of the first phase of construction in this space, more or less contemporaneous with the ashlar walls (SU 7275, 7280, 7055, 7276). Since the cocciopesto floor (SU 7273) abuts the tufo blocks, this indicates that the floor most likely postdates the blocks. Further, the cocciopesto floor seems to abut all of the remaining walls, suggesting that it dates after the later walls as well (SU 7278, 7281, 7269, 7282, and 7344). These later walls, which are constructed with concrete, altered the original layout of the space by enclosing it. 7344 is separated from 7278 and 7268 by vertical cuts into the wall, possibly to accommodate a drain or a pipe. Finally, the plaster (SU 7298, 7299, 7300, 7301, 7302) covers the cocciopesto floor and all of the walls, suggesting that it is a part of the latest phases of the room. There are multiple layers of plaster, which indicates multiple renovations of the space.
Eastern wall of room H-8/Western wall of room H-7