Niche

Thomas Staub

At 0.35 m from the N-E corner, a niche is set into the wall.This niche most probably served as a schola labrum. The arched apsidal niche, which is set 0.35 m above floor level, is max. 2.30 m high and 0.20 m deep, the springer is at 2.35 m h above the floor. The central part of the back wall of the niche is reconstructed in modern times (cf. description corridor h², W wall), the preserved original parts are made of mixed opus incertum with Sarno stone, cruma, lava and shards of ceramics and spolias of plaster, set into a yellowish mortar. The arched crown of the niche is made of obliquely standing blocks of Sarno stone, at least covered and reinforced by modern concrete or as a complete modern reconstruction. The rounded inner sides of the niche are partly covered by a reddish waterproof plaster. Against this plaster, tegolae mammatae were set, which are preserved at the bottom. These are partly covered with a layer of plaster, at the southern side with ceramic shards pressed into it. The bottom of the niche is made of bricks.