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Atra-Hasis β€” The Babylonian Flood Epic

The Atra-Hasis epic, named after its human protagonist, is one of the most important Mesopotamian literary works for understanding Zecharia Sitchin's interpretation of ancient history. Composed in the 17th century BCE during the reign of King Ammi-Saduqa of Babylon, this text provides the most detailed account of both the creation of humanity and the Great Flood.

Manuscript History

The primary manuscript (Tablet K) was discovered in the library of Ashurbanipal at Niniveh and published by George Smith in 1876. Additional fragments were found at Sippar and Uruk. The complete text was reconstructed by W. G. Lambert and A. R. Millard in 1965.

The Narrative

Tablet I: Creation of Humanity

The epic begins with the "lower gods" (Igigi) laboring to dig irrigation canals β€” a task they perform for 3,600 years before revolting. Enki proposes creating a "primitive worker" (Lullu) to take over their labor. The mother goddess Nintu (Ninmah) mixes clay with the blood of a slain god, and from this mixture creates seven males and seven females.

"Let the mother goddess mix clay with the flesh and blood of a god. Then they will become a god and man together, living in harmony forever."

Sitchin saw this as a description of genetic engineering β€” combining the "essence" (DNA) of an Anunnaki with the Homo erectus stock of Earth.

Tablet II: Overpopulation

Humanity multiplies and becomes noisy, disturbing Enlil's sleep. Enlil sends plagues, famine, and drought to reduce the population. Each time, Enki advises the wise king Atra Hasis on how to appease the gods, and humanity survives.

Tablet III: The Flood

Enlil resolves to destroy humanity with a Great Flood. Enki, sworn to secrecy, warns Atra-Hasis by speaking to the reed wall of his house:

"Reed wall, reed wall! Listen! Pay attention, O Atra-Hasis! Tear down your house, build a boat. Abandon your possessions, save your life!"

Atra-Hasis builds a circular ark ("the boat of the round type"), loads it with animals and grain, and survives the seven-day deluge. After the flood, Enlil is furious at Enki for saving humanity, but eventually relents, and the gods create a new system of birth control and mortality to keep the human population in check.

Sitchin's Interpretation

Sitchin regarded Atra-Hasis as one of the most reliable ancient sources, free from the theological embellishments of later Babylonian versions:

  1. The Igigi rebellion β€” 300 Igigi (Anunnaki astronauts) refusing to continue mining gold in the lower world (E.Din / the Persian Gulf region)
  2. The creation of man β€” A scientific procedure combining Anunnaki genetic material with the DNA of a hominid
  3. The flood β€” Not a global deluge but a local cataclysm triggered by the melting of Antarctic ice and destabilization of Nibiru's proximity
  4. Atra-Hasis β€” The Sumerian Noah, also known as Ziusudra or Utnapishtim

"The Atra-Hasis epic provides the critical link between Sumerian scientific knowledge and the biblical account of Genesis." β€” Zecharia Sitchin

The Parallel with Genesis

Sitchin noted the following correspondences between Atra-Hasis and the biblical account:

Atra-Hasis Book of Genesis
Creation of man from clay + divine blood Creation of Adam from dust + divine breath
The flood sent by Enlil The flood sent by Yahweh
Atra-Hasis warned by Enki Noah warned by God
The boat built to specifications The ark built to specifications
Birds sent out to test for dry land Birds sent out from the ark

See Also

Sources

  • Lambert, W. G. & Millard, A. R. (1969). Atra-αΈͺasΔ«s: The Babylonian Story of the Flood. Oxford University Press.
  • Sitchin, Z. (1976). The 12th Planet. Chapter 10.
  • Sitchin, Z. (1985). The Wars of Gods and Men. Chapter 3.
  • Dalley, S. (1989). Myths from Mesopotamia. Oxford University Press.