the mythological narrative may be followed without difficulty, since the main outline of the story is already familiar enough from the versions of the Semitic-Babylonian scribes and of Berossus.  Some uncertainties naturally remain as to what exactly was included in the missing portions of the tablet; but the more important episodes are fortunately recounted in the extant fragments, and these suffice for a definition of the distinctive character of the Sumerian Version.  In view of its literary importance it may be advisable to attempt a somewhat detailed discussion of its contents, column by column;(1) and the analysis may be most conveniently divided into numbered sections, each of which refers to one of the six columns of the tablet.  The description of the First Column will serve to establish the general character of the text.  Through the analysis of the tablet parallels and contrasts will be noted with the Babylonian and Hebrew Versions.  It will then be possible to summarise, on a surer foundation, the literary history of the traditions, and finally to estimate the effect of our new evidence upon current theories as to the origin and wide dispersion of Deluge stories.

     (1) In the lecture as delivered the contents of each column
     were necessarily summarized rather briefly, and conclusions
     were given without discussion of the evidence.

The following headings, under which the six numbered sections may be arranged, indicate the contents of each column and show at a glance the main features of the Sumerian Version: 

I. Introduction to the Myth, and account of Creation.

II.  The Antediluvian Cities.

III.  The Council of the Gods, and Ziusudu’s piety.

IV.  The Dream-Warning.

V. The Deluge, the Escape of the Great Boat, and the Sacrifice to the
Sun-god.

VI.  The Propitiation of the Angry Gods, and Ziusudu’s Immortality.

I. INTRODUCTION TO THE MYTH, AND ACCOUNT OF CREATION

The beginning of the text is wanting, and the earliest lines preserved of the First Column open with the closing sentences of a speech, probably by the chief of the four creating deities, who are later on referred to by name.  In it there is a reference to a future destruction of mankind, but the context is broken; the lines in question begin: 

     “As for my human race, from (or in) its destruction will I
     cause it to be (. . .),

     For Nintu my creatures (. . .) will I (. . .).”