Laüs

Laüs or Laus was an ancient city on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea [1]. It was at the mouth of the Lao River, which formed the boundary between Lucania and Bruttium in ancient times and gave it its name [1]. The archaeological site of the city can be found at a short distance to the east of Marcellina, near Santa Maria del Cedro in Calabria [1]. Herodotus states that the inhabitants of Sybaris who had survived the destruction of their city in 510 BC took refuge in Laus and Scidrus [1]. The necropolis of Laus now lies below Marcellina and is notable for its important finds [1]. A rich tomb chamber was discovered by accident in 1961 not far from the railway station of Marcellina, in which were dozens of red-figured vases, bronze and precious metals, and a finely crafted bronze armour [1]. The excavations revealed the city was defended on at least three sides by a wall [1].