2019-07-10 Zoe Ortiz
Although the plaster in Room 7 (7298, 7299, 7300, 7302, and 7302) is heavily degraded, it is possible to determine that it covered the latest phases of their respective walls. For several sections (specifically 7299 and 7298), multiple layers are visible, indicating multiple restorations over time.
Room 7 analysis: Upon observation, the two tufo blocks (7303) most likely 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, in phase with the ashlar walls (SU 7275, 7280, 7055, 7276). Since the cocciopesto floor (SU 7273) abuts the tufo blocks, this indicates that the floor was postdates the tufo 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). These later walls, which are constructed with concrete, altered the original layout of the space by enclosing it, which suggests that the original construction had a much more open layout. Finally, the plaster ((SU 7298, 7299, 7300, 7301, 7302) covers the cocciopesto floor and all of the walls, indicating it is a part of the latest phases of the room. There are multiple layers of plaster, which indicates multiple renovations of the space