KITCHENS AND DINING ROOMS AT POMPEII ... - Get a Free Blog

Sight perc., KI (l)-DI•(e): N Sound perc., KI (l)-DI•(e): T Smell perc., KI (l)-DI•(e): T
G) Environmental amenities, dining areas: For both DH•(b) and DI•(e), the only source of light
and air is via their doorways onto the open spaces of atrium (p) and the peristyle garden (h)
respectively. DH•(b) has a view limited to the entrance (u) and the flight of stairs to the N;
despite a lofty ceiling equal to that of the tablinum (c) to the S, the door is narrow and small (Fig.
5.106). The tablinum is clearly designed to command a wide view of the atrium, while DH•(b)
can be closed off completely from the atrium by closing the door. The SW orientation of the room
and its concentration its own interior space suggests that this room was used primarily in the
winter. DI•(e) in contrast has its whole width open to the peristyle garden, and with its
orientation to the SE, would have provided a cool environment for dinner on a summer
afternoon. Its view to the garden could be partially obstructed except through the central
intercolumniation; Maiuri suggested that mats or curtains were hung from wooden beams set
between the side intercolumniations 1.70 m. above the ground. Such hangings would have
offered additional protection from sun, rain, and/or cold. Garden (h) had plantings arranged in
an E-W direction; the extension of the colonnade and the garden beyond the walls of the house
was achieved by 3rd style garden paintings on the S and W walls. A lattice fence, colonettes,
birds, basins, fountains and at least one herm of Dionysos marked out the plants, flowers and
trees of the garden scene.
H) Installation amenities, KI (l): Along the N, E and W sides of this room is stretched a long
masonry ST, with one arch on the N and S, and a former double arch on the E, its masonry
support replaced at some point by a large dolium (Figs. 5.104-5.105). The three sections of this ST
are subtlely diverse in their dimensions: The N section (l. 1.30, w. 0.98, h. 0.85 m.), E section (l.
1.54, w.0.41, h. 0.67 m.) and S section (l. 1.55, w. 0.53, h. 0.74 m.). Near the center of the N section
is the remains of a masonry division of that section of the ST into two 'burners', a division
indicated on Maiuri's original (NSc 1929) plans. There was no internal allowance for light and
ventilation; the room received its light and air largely from the small open court/light-well (n) to
the NW. Water was collected by means of the same court lined with opus signinum. In the NE
corner of the adjacent room (m), a small basin (d. 0.44 m.) was immured in a high quarter-circle
podium (l. 1.03, w. 0.45, h. 0.70 m.); this basin presumably acted as some kind of sink. A channel
(0.27 m. deep) on the S side of the basin provided drainage directly onto the floor, but where that
water consequently drained is not clear. The only latrine identified in the house is across the
house under the stairs next to room (i). In the last period of the house, additional water was
piped down from the house at #10-12; this running water may have aided the renovation of the
house or simply supply everyday domestic needs. The only finds reported from KI (l) were four
truncated amphorae stacked against the S wall, which Allison interprets as either scoops for lime
(building material), which were found in number elsewhere in the house, or as rudimentary
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