Since cocciopesto fragment 20061 sits on-top of this context in SW corner, could this deposit be some sort of purposeful preparation for laying a second layer of pavement in this room? The consistency of the sticky clay, its level elevation across the trench, and the way it peeled off 20048 raise this possibility. If this were the case, this context would not have covered tanks, which is why top of 20049 was visible in N part of trench.

Bottom of collapse. Accumulation of soil between the cocciopesto surface and the tile/beam collapse layer may indicate abandonment of area before destruction event. Charcoal patch in northeast corner of trench was evidence of further collapse material filling feature 20049. (KG) Cocciopesto fragment 20061 covers this context in SW corner. (RGV)