Five Layers of Flood Stories
Chronologically organized how the same framework has persisted across regions and languages
The oldest layer
(Oral origin)
The Story of Ziusudra (Sumerian)
Enlil's wrath7-day stormDrilling a hole in the boat to look outside, then offering a sacrifice with animals. Although the production date of the remaining clay tablets is later, it is considered the oldest layer of the epic tradition.
B.C.
18th century
Epic of Atrahasis (Akkadian)
Oldest written recordNoise as the causeThe gods are angered by humans who have become noisy due to population growth. It is considered the oldest written record of a flood narrative identified to date.
B.C.
12th–7th century B.C.
Epic of Gilgamesh, Tablet 11 (Utnapishtim)
Cube-shaped boat3 birdsReleasing a dove, a swallow, and a raven in sequence to check if the water has receded. This is the version George Smith deciphered from the Nineveh tablets in 1872.
Time of compilation
Varies
Genesis Noah Story (Hebrew)
Raven and doveCovenant of the rainbowReleasing the raven first, then the dove three times. The second dove returns with an olive leaf.
4th century B.C.
(Mentioned by Plato)
Deucalion and Pyrrha (Greek)
Recreating humanity by throwing stonesBuilding an ark with a tip-off from Prometheus, and after the water recedes, creating new humans by throwing stones over their shoulders.