London, Jan 8 : In ancient Greece, a good night out began at home where people turned their houses into lively taverns and brothels, according to a new study.

A new analysis of archaeological remains could explain why evidence of ancient Greek bar rooms is so elusive.

In classical Greek plays there are many descriptions of lively drinking dens, but no remains have ever been discovered.

During an archeological analysis, the researchers looked at several ancient Greek houses dating from 475 to 323 BC and found the remains of hundreds of drinking cups, which are thought to be far too many for a residence.

According to lead researcher Clare Kelly Blazeby at the University of Leeds, UK, the most likely explanation could be that the residents regularly sold wine.

Several other archaeological artefacts have revealed that the houses were used for other functions too.

"This blows apart everything that people think about drinking in classical Greece," New Scientist quoted Kelly Blazeby as saying.

In another study, Allison Glazebrook of Brock University in St Catharines, Ontario, Canada found that some of the Greek houses also doubled as brothels.

They found erotic graffiti and objects, and numerous clay drinking cups.

Lin Foxhall at the University of Leicester, UK, a specialist on life in ancient Greece, agrees with the findings.

She said Kelly Blazeby''s analysis underscores "the diversity of activities and types of residents that might have inhabited the buildings we call ''houses'' in the highly urbanised cities of classical Greece".

The findings will be presented at the annual meeting of the Archaeological Institute of America in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (ANI)