Interpretations
2019-07-23 Zoe Ortiz
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.
2019-07-23 Zoe Ortiz
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.
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.