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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Ancient Greek Writer’s Mug Found In Cave

Compiled From Wire Services

Archaeologists say they have found a clay mug of the ancient Greek playwright Euripides in a limestone cave he used as a writing den.

A photo released by the Greek Culture Ministry showed the fragmented cup engraved with the first six letters of Euripides’ name.

The mug, and two other cups from the 5th century B.C., were unearthed from a seaside grotto on Salamis, an island 12 miles west of Athens.

Archaeologist Yannos Lolos, who excavated the cups with his 15-member team last year, began his search in 1994 when his study of the ancient works of Philochoros, Satyros and Aulus Gellius hinted that Euripides’ writing den might have been located in one of three caves on Salamis.

“When we first located the Peristeria cave we knew it had to be it,” Lolos told The Associated Press on Friday. “Like the scriptures described, its wide mouth opened to the sea, and its feel was spooky and horrid.”