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Sumerian king list
UPDATED 30 JANUARY, 2014 – 07:07 APRILHOLLOWAY

The Sumerian King List still puzzles historians after more than a century of research

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Out of the many incredible artefacts that have been recovered from sites in Iraq where flourishing Sumerian cities once stood, few have been more intriguing than the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer (ancient southern Iraq) from Sumerian and neighbouring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of “official” kingship. What makes this artefact so unique is the fact that the list blends apparently mythical pre-dynastic rulers with historical rulers who are known to have existed.

The first fragment of this rare and unique text, a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet, was found in the early 1900s by German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht at the site of ancient Nippur and published in 1906.  Since Hilprecht’s discovery, at least 18 other exemplars of the king’s list have been found, most of them dating from the second half of the Isin dynasty (c. 2017-1794 BCE.).  No two of these documents are identical. However, there is enough common material in all versions of the list to make it clear that they are derived from a single, “ideal” account of Sumerian history.

Sumerian king listAmong all the examples of the Sumerian King List, the Weld-Blundell prism in the Ashmolean Museum cuneiform collection in Oxford represents the most extensive version as well as the most complete copy of the King List. The 8-inch-high prism contains four sides with two columns on each side. It is believed that it originally had a wooden spindle going through its centre so that it could be rotated and read on all four sides. It lists rulers from the antediluvian (“before the flood”) dynasties to the fourteenth ruler of the Isin dynasty (ca. 1763–1753 BC).

The list is of immense value because it reflects very old traditions while at the same time providing an important chronological framework relating to the different periods of kingship in Sumeria, and even demonstrates remarkable parallels to accounts in Genesis.

The ancient civilisation of Sumer

Sumer (sometimes called Sumeria), is the site of the earliest known civilization, located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf.

By the 3 rd millennium BC, Sumer was the site of at least twelve separate city states: Kish, Erech, Ur,Sippar, Akshak, Larak, Nippur, Adab, Umma, Lagash, Bad-tibira, and  Larsa. Each of these states comprised a walled city and its surrounding villages and land, and each worshiped its own deity, whose temple was the central structure of the city. Political power originally belonged to the citizens, but, as rivalry between the various city-states increased, each adopted the institution of  kingship.

The Sumerian King List , records that eight kings reigned before a great flood. After the Flood, various city-states and their dynasties of kings temporarily gained power over the others.

Sumer’s mythical past

The Sumerian King List begins with the very origin of kingship, which is seen as a divine institution: “the kingship had descended from heaven”.  The rulers in the earliest dynasties are represented as reigning fantastically long periods:

After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years.

Some of the rulers mentioned in the early list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda and Gilgamesh, are mythical or legendary figures whose heroic feats are subjects of a series of Sumerian and Babylonian narrative compositions.

The early list names eight kings with a total of 241,200 years from the time when kingship “descended from heaven” to the time when “the Flood” swept over the land and once more “the kingship was lowered from heaven” after the Flood.

Interpretation of long reigns

The amazingly long tenure of the early kings has provoked many attempts at interpretation. At one extreme is the complete dismissal of the astronomically large figures as “completely artificial” and the view that they are unworthy of serious consideration.  At the other extreme, is the belief that the numbers have a basis in reality and that the early kings were indeed gods who were capable of living much longer than humans.

In between the two extremes is the hypothesis that the figures represent relative power, triumph or importance.  For example, in ancient Egypt, the phrase “he died aged 110” referred to someone who lived life to the full and who offered an important contribution to society.  In the same way, the extremely long periods of reign of the early kings may represent how incredibly important they were perceived as being in the eyes of the people. This doesn’t explain, however, why the periods of tenure later switched to realistic time periods.

Related to this perspective is the belief that although the early kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicised.

Finally, some scholars have sought to explain the figures through a mathematical investigation and interpretation (e.g. Harrison, 1993).

Relation to Genesis

Some scholars (e.g. Wood, 2003) have drawn attention to the fact that there are remarkable similarities between the Sumerian King List and accounts in Genesis.  For example, Genesis tells the story of ‘the great flood’ and Noah’s efforts to save all the species of animals on Earth from destruction.  Likewise, in the Sumerian King List, there is discussion of a great deluge: “the flood swept over the earth.”

The Sumerian King List provides a list of eight kings (some versions have 10) who reigned for long periods of time before the flood, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200 years.  This is similar to Genesis 5, where the generations from Creation to the Flood are recorded. Interestingly, between Adam and Noah there are eight generations, just as there are eight kings between the beginning of kingship and the flood in the Sumerian King List.

After the flood, the King List records kings who ruled for much shorter periods of time. Thus, the Sumerian King List not only documents a great flood early in man’s history, but it also reflects the same pattern of decreasing longevity as found in the Bible – men had extremely long life spans before the flood and much shorter life spans following the flood (Wood, 2003).

The Sumerian King List truly is a perplexing mystery. Why would the Sumerians combine mythical rulers with actual historical rulers in one document? Why are there so many similarities with Genesis? Why were ancient kings described as ruling for thousands of years? These are just some of the questions that still remain unanswered after more than a century of research.

By April Holloway

References

The Sumerian King List – University of Oxford

Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Sumerian King List – by Bryant G. Wood

The Sumerian king list: translation – The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature

The Sumerian King List – by L.C. Geerts

Reinvestigating the Antediluvian Sumerian King List – by R. K. Harrison

The Sumerian King List – by Thorkild Jacobsen (The Oriental Institute of the University of California)

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April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan.

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Sumerian king list
UPDATED 30 JANUARY, 2014 – 07:07 APRILHOLLOWAY

The Sumerian King List still puzzles historians after more than a century of research

PRINT

Out of the many incredible artefacts that have been recovered from sites in Iraq where flourishing Sumerian cities once stood, few have been more intriguing than the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer (ancient southern Iraq) from Sumerian and neighbouring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of “official” kingship. What makes this artefact so unique is the fact that the list blends apparently mythical pre-dynastic rulers with historical rulers who are known to have existed.

The first fragment of this rare and unique text, a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet, was found in the early 1900s by German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht at the site of ancient Nippur and published in 1906.  Since Hilprecht’s discovery, at least 18 other exemplars of the king’s list have been found, most of them dating from the second half of the Isin dynasty (c. 2017-1794 BCE.).  No two of these documents are identical. However, there is enough common material in all versions of the list to make it clear that they are derived from a single, “ideal” account of Sumerian history.

Sumerian king listAmong all the examples of the Sumerian King List, the Weld-Blundell prism in the Ashmolean Museum cuneiform collection in Oxford represents the most extensive version as well as the most complete copy of the King List. The 8-inch-high prism contains four sides with two columns on each side. It is believed that it originally had a wooden spindle going through its centre so that it could be rotated and read on all four sides. It lists rulers from the antediluvian (“before the flood”) dynasties to the fourteenth ruler of the Isin dynasty (ca. 1763–1753 BC).

The list is of immense value because it reflects very old traditions while at the same time providing an important chronological framework relating to the different periods of kingship in Sumeria, and even demonstrates remarkable parallels to accounts in Genesis.

The ancient civilisation of Sumer

Sumer (sometimes called Sumeria), is the site of the earliest known civilization, located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf.

By the 3 rd millennium BC, Sumer was the site of at least twelve separate city states: Kish, Erech, Ur,Sippar, Akshak, Larak, Nippur, Adab, Umma, Lagash, Bad-tibira, and  Larsa. Each of these states comprised a walled city and its surrounding villages and land, and each worshiped its own deity, whose temple was the central structure of the city. Political power originally belonged to the citizens, but, as rivalry between the various city-states increased, each adopted the institution of  kingship.

The Sumerian King List , records that eight kings reigned before a great flood. After the Flood, various city-states and their dynasties of kings temporarily gained power over the others.

Sumer’s mythical past

The Sumerian King List begins with the very origin of kingship, which is seen as a divine institution: “the kingship had descended from heaven”.  The rulers in the earliest dynasties are represented as reigning fantastically long periods:

After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years.

Some of the rulers mentioned in the early list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda and Gilgamesh, are mythical or legendary figures whose heroic feats are subjects of a series of Sumerian and Babylonian narrative compositions.

The early list names eight kings with a total of 241,200 years from the time when kingship “descended from heaven” to the time when “the Flood” swept over the land and once more “the kingship was lowered from heaven” after the Flood.

Interpretation of long reigns

The amazingly long tenure of the early kings has provoked many attempts at interpretation. At one extreme is the complete dismissal of the astronomically large figures as “completely artificial” and the view that they are unworthy of serious consideration.  At the other extreme, is the belief that the numbers have a basis in reality and that the early kings were indeed gods who were capable of living much longer than humans.

In between the two extremes is the hypothesis that the figures represent relative power, triumph or importance.  For example, in ancient Egypt, the phrase “he died aged 110” referred to someone who lived life to the full and who offered an important contribution to society.  In the same way, the extremely long periods of reign of the early kings may represent how incredibly important they were perceived as being in the eyes of the people. This doesn’t explain, however, why the periods of tenure later switched to realistic time periods.

Related to this perspective is the belief that although the early kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicised.

Finally, some scholars have sought to explain the figures through a mathematical investigation and interpretation (e.g. Harrison, 1993).

Relation to Genesis

Some scholars (e.g. Wood, 2003) have drawn attention to the fact that there are remarkable similarities between the Sumerian King List and accounts in Genesis.  For example, Genesis tells the story of ‘the great flood’ and Noah’s efforts to save all the species of animals on Earth from destruction.  Likewise, in the Sumerian King List, there is discussion of a great deluge: “the flood swept over the earth.”

The Sumerian King List provides a list of eight kings (some versions have 10) who reigned for long periods of time before the flood, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200 years.  This is similar to Genesis 5, where the generations from Creation to the Flood are recorded. Interestingly, between Adam and Noah there are eight generations, just as there are eight kings between the beginning of kingship and the flood in the Sumerian King List.

After the flood, the King List records kings who ruled for much shorter periods of time. Thus, the Sumerian King List not only documents a great flood early in man’s history, but it also reflects the same pattern of decreasing longevity as found in the Bible – men had extremely long life spans before the flood and much shorter life spans following the flood (Wood, 2003).

The Sumerian King List truly is a perplexing mystery. Why would the Sumerians combine mythical rulers with actual historical rulers in one document? Why are there so many similarities with Genesis? Why were ancient kings described as ruling for thousands of years? These are just some of the questions that still remain unanswered after more than a century of research.

By April Holloway

References

The Sumerian King List – University of Oxford

Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Sumerian King List – by Bryant G. Wood

The Sumerian king list: translation – The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature

The Sumerian King List – by L.C. Geerts

Reinvestigating the Antediluvian Sumerian King List – by R. K. Harrison

The Sumerian King List – by Thorkild Jacobsen (The Oriental Institute of the University of California)

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April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan.

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Sumerian king list
UPDATED 30 JANUARY, 2014 – 07:07 APRILHOLLOWAY

The Sumerian King List still puzzles historians after more than a century of research

PRINT

Out of the many incredible artefacts that have been recovered from sites in Iraq where flourishing Sumerian cities once stood, few have been more intriguing than the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer (ancient southern Iraq) from Sumerian and neighbouring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of “official” kingship. What makes this artefact so unique is the fact that the list blends apparently mythical pre-dynastic rulers with historical rulers who are known to have existed.

The first fragment of this rare and unique text, a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet, was found in the early 1900s by German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht at the site of ancient Nippur and published in 1906.  Since Hilprecht’s discovery, at least 18 other exemplars of the king’s list have been found, most of them dating from the second half of the Isin dynasty (c. 2017-1794 BCE.).  No two of these documents are identical. However, there is enough common material in all versions of the list to make it clear that they are derived from a single, “ideal” account of Sumerian history.

Sumerian king listAmong all the examples of the Sumerian King List, the Weld-Blundell prism in the Ashmolean Museum cuneiform collection in Oxford represents the most extensive version as well as the most complete copy of the King List. The 8-inch-high prism contains four sides with two columns on each side. It is believed that it originally had a wooden spindle going through its centre so that it could be rotated and read on all four sides. It lists rulers from the antediluvian (“before the flood”) dynasties to the fourteenth ruler of the Isin dynasty (ca. 1763–1753 BC).

The list is of immense value because it reflects very old traditions while at the same time providing an important chronological framework relating to the different periods of kingship in Sumeria, and even demonstrates remarkable parallels to accounts in Genesis.

The ancient civilisation of Sumer

Sumer (sometimes called Sumeria), is the site of the earliest known civilization, located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf.

By the 3 rd millennium BC, Sumer was the site of at least twelve separate city states: Kish, Erech, Ur,Sippar, Akshak, Larak, Nippur, Adab, Umma, Lagash, Bad-tibira, and  Larsa. Each of these states comprised a walled city and its surrounding villages and land, and each worshiped its own deity, whose temple was the central structure of the city. Political power originally belonged to the citizens, but, as rivalry between the various city-states increased, each adopted the institution of  kingship.

The Sumerian King List , records that eight kings reigned before a great flood. After the Flood, various city-states and their dynasties of kings temporarily gained power over the others.

Sumer’s mythical past

The Sumerian King List begins with the very origin of kingship, which is seen as a divine institution: “the kingship had descended from heaven”.  The rulers in the earliest dynasties are represented as reigning fantastically long periods:

After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years.

Some of the rulers mentioned in the early list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda and Gilgamesh, are mythical or legendary figures whose heroic feats are subjects of a series of Sumerian and Babylonian narrative compositions.

The early list names eight kings with a total of 241,200 years from the time when kingship “descended from heaven” to the time when “the Flood” swept over the land and once more “the kingship was lowered from heaven” after the Flood.

Interpretation of long reigns

The amazingly long tenure of the early kings has provoked many attempts at interpretation. At one extreme is the complete dismissal of the astronomically large figures as “completely artificial” and the view that they are unworthy of serious consideration.  At the other extreme, is the belief that the numbers have a basis in reality and that the early kings were indeed gods who were capable of living much longer than humans.

In between the two extremes is the hypothesis that the figures represent relative power, triumph or importance.  For example, in ancient Egypt, the phrase “he died aged 110” referred to someone who lived life to the full and who offered an important contribution to society.  In the same way, the extremely long periods of reign of the early kings may represent how incredibly important they were perceived as being in the eyes of the people. This doesn’t explain, however, why the periods of tenure later switched to realistic time periods.

Related to this perspective is the belief that although the early kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicised.

Finally, some scholars have sought to explain the figures through a mathematical investigation and interpretation (e.g. Harrison, 1993).

Relation to Genesis

Some scholars (e.g. Wood, 2003) have drawn attention to the fact that there are remarkable similarities between the Sumerian King List and accounts in Genesis.  For example, Genesis tells the story of ‘the great flood’ and Noah’s efforts to save all the species of animals on Earth from destruction.  Likewise, in the Sumerian King List, there is discussion of a great deluge: “the flood swept over the earth.”

The Sumerian King List provides a list of eight kings (some versions have 10) who reigned for long periods of time before the flood, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200 years.  This is similar to Genesis 5, where the generations from Creation to the Flood are recorded. Interestingly, between Adam and Noah there are eight generations, just as there are eight kings between the beginning of kingship and the flood in the Sumerian King List.

After the flood, the King List records kings who ruled for much shorter periods of time. Thus, the Sumerian King List not only documents a great flood early in man’s history, but it also reflects the same pattern of decreasing longevity as found in the Bible – men had extremely long life spans before the flood and much shorter life spans following the flood (Wood, 2003).

The Sumerian King List truly is a perplexing mystery. Why would the Sumerians combine mythical rulers with actual historical rulers in one document? Why are there so many similarities with Genesis? Why were ancient kings described as ruling for thousands of years? These are just some of the questions that still remain unanswered after more than a century of research.

By April Holloway

References

The Sumerian King List – University of Oxford

Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Sumerian King List – by Bryant G. Wood

The Sumerian king list: translation – The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature

The Sumerian King List – by L.C. Geerts

Reinvestigating the Antediluvian Sumerian King List – by R. K. Harrison

The Sumerian King List – by Thorkild Jacobsen (The Oriental Institute of the University of California)

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April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan.

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Sumerian king list
UPDATED 30 JANUARY, 2014 – 07:07 APRILHOLLOWAY

The Sumerian King List still puzzles historians after more than a century of research

PRINT

Out of the many incredible artefacts that have been recovered from sites in Iraq where flourishing Sumerian cities once stood, few have been more intriguing than the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer (ancient southern Iraq) from Sumerian and neighbouring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of “official” kingship. What makes this artefact so unique is the fact that the list blends apparently mythical pre-dynastic rulers with historical rulers who are known to have existed.

The first fragment of this rare and unique text, a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet, was found in the early 1900s by German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht at the site of ancient Nippur and published in 1906.  Since Hilprecht’s discovery, at least 18 other exemplars of the king’s list have been found, most of them dating from the second half of the Isin dynasty (c. 2017-1794 BCE.).  No two of these documents are identical. However, there is enough common material in all versions of the list to make it clear that they are derived from a single, “ideal” account of Sumerian history.

Sumerian king listAmong all the examples of the Sumerian King List, the Weld-Blundell prism in the Ashmolean Museum cuneiform collection in Oxford represents the most extensive version as well as the most complete copy of the King List. The 8-inch-high prism contains four sides with two columns on each side. It is believed that it originally had a wooden spindle going through its centre so that it could be rotated and read on all four sides. It lists rulers from the antediluvian (“before the flood”) dynasties to the fourteenth ruler of the Isin dynasty (ca. 1763–1753 BC).

The list is of immense value because it reflects very old traditions while at the same time providing an important chronological framework relating to the different periods of kingship in Sumeria, and even demonstrates remarkable parallels to accounts in Genesis.

The ancient civilisation of Sumer

Sumer (sometimes called Sumeria), is the site of the earliest known civilization, located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf.

By the 3 rd millennium BC, Sumer was the site of at least twelve separate city states: Kish, Erech, Ur,Sippar, Akshak, Larak, Nippur, Adab, Umma, Lagash, Bad-tibira, and  Larsa. Each of these states comprised a walled city and its surrounding villages and land, and each worshiped its own deity, whose temple was the central structure of the city. Political power originally belonged to the citizens, but, as rivalry between the various city-states increased, each adopted the institution of  kingship.

The Sumerian King List , records that eight kings reigned before a great flood. After the Flood, various city-states and their dynasties of kings temporarily gained power over the others.

Sumer’s mythical past

The Sumerian King List begins with the very origin of kingship, which is seen as a divine institution: “the kingship had descended from heaven”.  The rulers in the earliest dynasties are represented as reigning fantastically long periods:

After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years.

Some of the rulers mentioned in the early list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda and Gilgamesh, are mythical or legendary figures whose heroic feats are subjects of a series of Sumerian and Babylonian narrative compositions.

The early list names eight kings with a total of 241,200 years from the time when kingship “descended from heaven” to the time when “the Flood” swept over the land and once more “the kingship was lowered from heaven” after the Flood.

Interpretation of long reigns

The amazingly long tenure of the early kings has provoked many attempts at interpretation. At one extreme is the complete dismissal of the astronomically large figures as “completely artificial” and the view that they are unworthy of serious consideration.  At the other extreme, is the belief that the numbers have a basis in reality and that the early kings were indeed gods who were capable of living much longer than humans.

In between the two extremes is the hypothesis that the figures represent relative power, triumph or importance.  For example, in ancient Egypt, the phrase “he died aged 110” referred to someone who lived life to the full and who offered an important contribution to society.  In the same way, the extremely long periods of reign of the early kings may represent how incredibly important they were perceived as being in the eyes of the people. This doesn’t explain, however, why the periods of tenure later switched to realistic time periods.

Related to this perspective is the belief that although the early kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicised.

Finally, some scholars have sought to explain the figures through a mathematical investigation and interpretation (e.g. Harrison, 1993).

Relation to Genesis

Some scholars (e.g. Wood, 2003) have drawn attention to the fact that there are remarkable similarities between the Sumerian King List and accounts in Genesis.  For example, Genesis tells the story of ‘the great flood’ and Noah’s efforts to save all the species of animals on Earth from destruction.  Likewise, in the Sumerian King List, there is discussion of a great deluge: “the flood swept over the earth.”

The Sumerian King List provides a list of eight kings (some versions have 10) who reigned for long periods of time before the flood, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200 years.  This is similar to Genesis 5, where the generations from Creation to the Flood are recorded. Interestingly, between Adam and Noah there are eight generations, just as there are eight kings between the beginning of kingship and the flood in the Sumerian King List.

After the flood, the King List records kings who ruled for much shorter periods of time. Thus, the Sumerian King List not only documents a great flood early in man’s history, but it also reflects the same pattern of decreasing longevity as found in the Bible – men had extremely long life spans before the flood and much shorter life spans following the flood (Wood, 2003).

The Sumerian King List truly is a perplexing mystery. Why would the Sumerians combine mythical rulers with actual historical rulers in one document? Why are there so many similarities with Genesis? Why were ancient kings described as ruling for thousands of years? These are just some of the questions that still remain unanswered after more than a century of research.

By April Holloway

References

The Sumerian King List – University of Oxford

Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Sumerian King List – by Bryant G. Wood

The Sumerian king list: translation – The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature

The Sumerian King List – by L.C. Geerts

Reinvestigating the Antediluvian Sumerian King List – by R. K. Harrison

The Sumerian King List – by Thorkild Jacobsen (The Oriental Institute of the University of California)

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April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan.

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Skip to main content ABOUT LOGIN REGISTER LINKS MEDIA EVENTS FORUMS CONTACT MEMBERSHIP PREMIUM APP TOURS ANCESTRY DNA FREE EBOOKS MAGAZINE Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More All   NEWS HUMAN ORIGINS HISTORY ARTIFACTS MYTHS PLACES UNEXPLAINED OPINION PREMIUM SHOP General History & Archaeology Science & Space Evolution & Human Origins Mysterious Phenomena Home / News UPDATED 30 JANUARY, 2014 – 07:07 APRILHOLLOWAY The Sumerian King List still puzzles historians after more than a century of research READ LATER  PRINT Out of the many incredible artefacts that have been recovered from sites in Iraq where flourishing Sumerian cities once stood, few have been more intriguing than the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer (ancient southern Iraq) from Sumerian and neighbouring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of “official” kingship. What makes this artefact so unique is the fact that the list blends apparently mythical pre-dynastic rulers with historical rulers who are known to have existed.  The first fragment of this rare and unique text, a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet, was found in the early 1900s by German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht at the site of ancient Nippur and published in 1906.  Since Hilprecht’s discovery, at least 18 other exemplars of the king’s list have been found, most of them dating from the second half of the Isin dynasty (c. 2017-1794 BCE.).  No two of these documents are identical. However, there is enough common material in all versions of the list to make it clear that they are derived from a single, “ideal” account of Sumerian history. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Among all the examples of the Sumerian King List, the Weld-Blundell prism in the Ashmolean Museum cuneiform collection in Oxford represents the most extensive version as well as the most complete copy of the King List. The 8-inch-high prism contains four sides with two columns on each side. It is believed that it originally had a wooden spindle going through its centre so that it could be rotated and read on all four sides. It lists rulers from the antediluvian (“before the flood”) dynasties to the fourteenth ruler of the Isin dynasty (ca. 1763–1753 BC). The list is of immense value because it reflects very old traditions while at the same time providing an important chronological framework relating to the different periods of kingship in Sumeria, and even demonstrates remarkable parallels to accounts in Genesis. The ancient civilisation of Sumer Sumer (sometimes called Sumeria), is the site of the earliest known civilization, located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More By the 3 rd millennium BC, Sumer was the site of at least twelve separate city states: Kish, Erech, Ur,Sippar, Akshak, Larak, Nippur, Adab, Umma, Lagash, Bad-tibira, and  Larsa. Each of these states comprised a walled city and its surrounding villages and land, and each worshiped its own deity, whose temple was the central structure of the city. Political power originally belonged to the citizens, but, as rivalry between the various city-states increased, each adopted the institution of  kingship.  The Sumerian King List , records that eight kings reigned before a great flood. After the Flood, various city-states and their dynasties of kings temporarily gained power over the others.  Sumer’s mythical past The Sumerian King List begins with the very origin of kingship, which is seen as a divine institution: “the kingship had descended from heaven”.  The rulers in the earliest dynasties are represented as reigning fantastically long periods: After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years. Some of the rulers mentioned in the early list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda and Gilgamesh, are mythical or legendary figures whose heroic feats are subjects of a series of Sumerian and Babylonian narrative compositions. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More The early list names eight kings with a total of 241,200 years from the time when kingship “descended from heaven” to the time when “the Flood” swept over the land and once more “the kingship was lowered from heaven” after the Flood. Interpretation of long reigns The amazingly long tenure of the early kings has provoked many attempts at interpretation. At one extreme is the complete dismissal of the astronomically large figures as “completely artificial” and the view that they are unworthy of serious consideration.  At the other extreme, is the belief that the numbers have a basis in reality and that the early kings were indeed gods who were capable of living much longer than humans. In between the two extremes is the hypothesis that the figures represent relative power, triumph or importance.  For example, in ancient Egypt, the phrase “he died aged 110” referred to someone who lived life to the full and who offered an important contribution to society.  In the same way, the extremely long periods of reign of the early kings may represent how incredibly important they were perceived as being in the eyes of the people. This doesn’t explain, however, why the periods of tenure later switched to realistic time periods. Related to this perspective is the belief that although the early kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicised. Finally, some scholars have sought to explain the figures through a mathematical investigation and interpretation (e.g. Harrison, 1993). Relation to Genesis Some scholars (e.g. Wood, 2003) have drawn attention to the fact that there are remarkable similarities between the Sumerian King List and accounts in Genesis.  For example, Genesis tells the story of ‘the great flood’ and Noah’s efforts to save all the species of animals on Earth from destruction.  Likewise, in the Sumerian King List, there is discussion of a great deluge: “the flood swept over the earth.” The Sumerian King List provides a list of eight kings (some versions have 10) who reigned for long periods of time before the flood, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200 years.  This is similar to Genesis 5, where the generations from Creation to the Flood are recorded. Interestingly, between Adam and Noah there are eight generations, just as there are eight kings between the beginning of kingship and the flood in the Sumerian King List. After the flood, the King List records kings who ruled for much shorter periods of time. Thus, the Sumerian King List not only documents a great flood early in man’s history, but it also reflects the same pattern of decreasing longevity as found in the Bible – men had extremely long life spans before the flood and much shorter life spans following the flood (Wood, 2003). The Sumerian King List truly is a perplexing mystery. Why would the Sumerians combine mythical rulers with actual historical rulers in one document? Why are there so many similarities with Genesis? Why were ancient kings described as ruling for thousands of years? These are just some of the questions that still remain unanswered after more than a century of research. By April Holloway References The Sumerian King List – University of Oxford Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Sumerian King List – by Bryant G. Wood The Sumerian king list: translation – The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature The Sumerian King List – by L.C. Geerts Reinvestigating the Antediluvian Sumerian King List – by R. K. Harrison The Sumerian King List – by Thorkild Jacobsen (The Oriental Institute of the University of California)               Section:  Artifacts Ancient Writings Myths & Legends Asia Tags:  Sumer Sumerian Sumerian King’s List mythical historical reign rulers Genesis Mesopotamia iraq Read the Comments(293 Comments) Sponsored Content Doctors Amazed: New Lung… AirPhysio Plus size black short sleeve… yoursclothinguk The Dating Site for… EliteSingles Sponsored 1/5 How the CLOUD Act may affect your data… IONOS cloud Read More [Pics] Royal Family Confirms Unfortunate… xfreehub Diabetics: Here’s How to Lower Blood Sugar (It’s… Diabetes Freedom [Pics] Feral Kid from Mad Max 2… Habittribe [Gallery] Airline Refuses To Let… Trendscatchers At 75, Tom Selleck And His… Worldemand Quiz: 9 Out Of 10 People Can’t Name These Actors Quizscape [Gallery] Why You Should Never Buy Meat From Aldi https://www.wanderoam.com/ Experts Ranked The Best US… Cleverst Bonmarche Firm Control… BON MARCHE [Gallery] Grace Kelly’s… The Fashion Ball [Pics] The Most Beautiful Dress Kate Middleton… Interesticle Your IQ Is 142 If You Get 15/20 On This General… TooCool2BeTrue APRIL April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan. Joanna… Read More RELATED ARTICLES ON ANCIENT-ORIGINS 3 MAY, 2021 – 22:09 WILLEM MCLOUD Sumerian Etana Translated As Biblical Enoch The Biblical Enoch corresponds to a remarkable degree with the figure of Etana in Sumerian tradition. It seems reasonable to assume that they belong to the same original tradition handed down in the… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT SUMERIAN ETANA TRANSLATED AS BIBLICAL ENOCH 1 MARCH, 2021 – 13:58 NATHAN FALDE Is Jiroft Site in Iran a True Cradle of Civilization? Archaeologists are preparing to launch the third major excavation of an important site on the Jiroft plain , in the Halil River valley of southeastern Iran . The Konar Sandal remains were exposed… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT IS JIROFT SITE IN IRAN A TRUE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION? 14 JANUARY, 2021 – 23:08 SARAH P YOUNG Ancient Mesopotamia and the Rise of Civilization In ancient times, Mesopotamia, meaning ‘land between two rivers’, was a vast region that lay between the Tigris and Euphrates river systems, and it is where civilization emerged over 7,000 years ago… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA AND THE RISE OF CIVILIZATION 13 JANUARY, 2021 – 19:46 WILLEM MCLOUD Mighty Gilgamesh: Archetype Of The Nephilim Gilgamesh is one of the greatest heroes of the ancient Middle Eastern world. The epic named after him has become one of the greatest literary works of all ages. There is, however, one aspect of… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT MIGHTY GILGAMESH: ARCHETYPE OF THE NEPHILIM 8 MAY, 2020 – 18:45 BRYAN HILL The Rise and Fall of Sumer and Akkad The Sumerians were the first known people to settle in Mesopotamia over 7,000 years ago. Located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern day Iraq),… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT THE RISE AND FALL OF SUMER AND AKKAD 14 JULY, 2019 – 01:53 CALEB STROM ‘First Kings’ Myths From Around the World: How Do They Compare? Monarchs have always played a very important role in how their subjects form their cultural identity. Egypt, China, and the Sumerian city-states are examples of some of the oldest monarchies. The… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ‘FIRST KINGS’ MYTHS FROM AROUND THE WORLD: HOW DO THEY COMPARE? MOST READ TODAY The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory The Mysterious Disappearance of the Thomas Hume and its Dramatic Rediscovery Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! 7 Amazing Glimpses into the Ancient Lives of Children King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Eight Surprising Things You Should Know About the Celts Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More     Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Sign Up for Premium Ads-FREE Content   Sponsored Stories Thousands Being Compensated To Miners For Mis-Sold Pension Transfers Get Claims Advice (claims management company) Stop overpaying on your energy bills. Search Energy Price Comparison Sites Yahoo! Search (Forbes) [Pics] Always Place A Bag On Your Car Mirror When Traveling Alone, Here’s Why Beachraider Recommended by   VIRAL ARTICLES Legends(active tab) Technology Ancient Places Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo Plus size black butterfly print sleeveless top 30-32 Update your casual collection with this new-in top Made from a soft woven fabric it features a butterfly print with a scoop neckline and sleeveless design Partner with jeans and sandals for the per… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Ancient Origins has been quoted by: TOP NEW STORIES Dover Castle: The Key to England at the Gateway to Europe Dover Castle has been dubbed the “Key to England” due to its location at the frontline of defense. Dover has played an important role in Britain’s history, both as a trading port and as the gateway… Archaeologists Uncover Preserved Ancient Pottery Workshop in Egypt Italian Researchers CT Scan Egyptian Priest Mummy The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Rare “Divine” Ancient Fire Temple Found in Iran Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! MYTHS & LEGENDS Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo HUMAN ORIGINS King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Have King Solomon’s Mines really been discovered? Yes, indeed. In fact, they have been known about for centuries, and modern archaeological work on them started way back in the early 19th century… Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend Is There Scientific Evidence for the Exodus? Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Ancient Treasures – Part II Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet In Sivershchina, close to the village of Mizyn in Ukraine is one of the oldest and most unique settlements of humans – and it was discovered in a parking lot. The now well-known archaeological site, known plainly as the Mizyn parking lot, dates back 18-20 thousand years. Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? Medical Mystery of Usermontu: Why the Discovery of 2,600-Year-Old Knee Screw Left Experts Dumbfounded Philip’s Fountain: The Oldest Still-In-Use Hydraulic Work in the World Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! ANCIENT PLACES The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory In the center of America’s Four Corners Region, Chaco Canyon is an arid, desolate place, sprinkled with the occasional, lonely juniper tree, cactus, or sage bush. Hundreds of mysterious, ancient structures haunt this canyon and the entire region, meticulously aligned along the paths of the Sun, Moon, and constellation Orion. Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Remembering the Future: How Ancient Maya Agronomists Changed the Modern World Fakes and Controversy on the River Clyde: The Case of Dumbuck Crannog Craco: The Abandoned Medieval Ghost Town of Italy OPINION Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? A central concept in the novel The Sphinx Scrolls is whether a mummification technology has ever existed that could preserve someone for long periods and retain the potential to bring them back to life. Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? The Underwater City of Cuba: A New Theory on its Origins – Part I Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Mount Shasta: Mystery Mountain and Sacred Destination Atlantis: Examining the Legendary Tale of Plato OUR MISSION At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exist countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings.  ANCIENT IMAGE GALLERIES Ancient Origins © 2013 – 2021 Disclaimer – Terms of Publication – Privacy Policy & Cookies – Advertising Policy – Submissions – We Give Back – Contact us A project of Stella Novus – Development and Customization by Novus Web Solutions Skip to main content ABOUT LOGIN REGISTER LINKS MEDIA EVENTS FORUMS CONTACT MEMBERSHIP PREMIUM APP TOURS ANCESTRY DNA FREE EBOOKS MAGAZINE Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More All   NEWS HUMAN ORIGINS HISTORY ARTIFACTS MYTHS PLACES UNEXPLAINED OPINION PREMIUM SHOP General History & Archaeology Science & Space Evolution & Human Origins Mysterious Phenomena Home / News UPDATED 30 JANUARY, 2014 – 07:07 APRILHOLLOWAY The Sumerian King List still puzzles historians after more than a century of research READ LATER  PRINT Out of the many incredible artefacts that have been recovered from sites in Iraq where flourishing Sumerian cities once stood, few have been more intriguing than the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer (ancient southern Iraq) from Sumerian and neighbouring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of “official” kingship. What makes this artefact so unique is the fact that the list blends apparently mythical pre-dynastic rulers with historical rulers who are known to have existed.  The first fragment of this rare and unique text, a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet, was found in the early 1900s by German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht at the site of ancient Nippur and published in 1906.  Since Hilprecht’s discovery, at least 18 other exemplars of the king’s list have been found, most of them dating from the second half of the Isin dynasty (c. 2017-1794 BCE.).  No two of these documents are identical. However, there is enough common material in all versions of the list to make it clear that they are derived from a single, “ideal” account of Sumerian history. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Among all the examples of the Sumerian King List, the Weld-Blundell prism in the Ashmolean Museum cuneiform collection in Oxford represents the most extensive version as well as the most complete copy of the King List. The 8-inch-high prism contains four sides with two columns on each side. It is believed that it originally had a wooden spindle going through its centre so that it could be rotated and read on all four sides. It lists rulers from the antediluvian (“before the flood”) dynasties to the fourteenth ruler of the Isin dynasty (ca. 1763–1753 BC). The list is of immense value because it reflects very old traditions while at the same time providing an important chronological framework relating to the different periods of kingship in Sumeria, and even demonstrates remarkable parallels to accounts in Genesis. The ancient civilisation of Sumer Sumer (sometimes called Sumeria), is the site of the earliest known civilization, located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More By the 3 rd millennium BC, Sumer was the site of at least twelve separate city states: Kish, Erech, Ur,Sippar, Akshak, Larak, Nippur, Adab, Umma, Lagash, Bad-tibira, and  Larsa. Each of these states comprised a walled city and its surrounding villages and land, and each worshiped its own deity, whose temple was the central structure of the city. Political power originally belonged to the citizens, but, as rivalry between the various city-states increased, each adopted the institution of  kingship.  The Sumerian King List , records that eight kings reigned before a great flood. After the Flood, various city-states and their dynasties of kings temporarily gained power over the others.  Sumer’s mythical past The Sumerian King List begins with the very origin of kingship, which is seen as a divine institution: “the kingship had descended from heaven”.  The rulers in the earliest dynasties are represented as reigning fantastically long periods: After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years. Some of the rulers mentioned in the early list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda and Gilgamesh, are mythical or legendary figures whose heroic feats are subjects of a series of Sumerian and Babylonian narrative compositions. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More The early list names eight kings with a total of 241,200 years from the time when kingship “descended from heaven” to the time when “the Flood” swept over the land and once more “the kingship was lowered from heaven” after the Flood. Interpretation of long reigns The amazingly long tenure of the early kings has provoked many attempts at interpretation. At one extreme is the complete dismissal of the astronomically large figures as “completely artificial” and the view that they are unworthy of serious consideration.  At the other extreme, is the belief that the numbers have a basis in reality and that the early kings were indeed gods who were capable of living much longer than humans. In between the two extremes is the hypothesis that the figures represent relative power, triumph or importance.  For example, in ancient Egypt, the phrase “he died aged 110” referred to someone who lived life to the full and who offered an important contribution to society.  In the same way, the extremely long periods of reign of the early kings may represent how incredibly important they were perceived as being in the eyes of the people. This doesn’t explain, however, why the periods of tenure later switched to realistic time periods. Related to this perspective is the belief that although the early kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicised. Finally, some scholars have sought to explain the figures through a mathematical investigation and interpretation (e.g. Harrison, 1993). Relation to Genesis Some scholars (e.g. Wood, 2003) have drawn attention to the fact that there are remarkable similarities between the Sumerian King List and accounts in Genesis.  For example, Genesis tells the story of ‘the great flood’ and Noah’s efforts to save all the species of animals on Earth from destruction.  Likewise, in the Sumerian King List, there is discussion of a great deluge: “the flood swept over the earth.” The Sumerian King List provides a list of eight kings (some versions have 10) who reigned for long periods of time before the flood, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200 years.  This is similar to Genesis 5, where the generations from Creation to the Flood are recorded. Interestingly, between Adam and Noah there are eight generations, just as there are eight kings between the beginning of kingship and the flood in the Sumerian King List. After the flood, the King List records kings who ruled for much shorter periods of time. Thus, the Sumerian King List not only documents a great flood early in man’s history, but it also reflects the same pattern of decreasing longevity as found in the Bible – men had extremely long life spans before the flood and much shorter life spans following the flood (Wood, 2003). The Sumerian King List truly is a perplexing mystery. Why would the Sumerians combine mythical rulers with actual historical rulers in one document? Why are there so many similarities with Genesis? Why were ancient kings described as ruling for thousands of years? These are just some of the questions that still remain unanswered after more than a century of research. By April Holloway References The Sumerian King List – University of Oxford Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Sumerian King List – by Bryant G. Wood The Sumerian king list: translation – The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature The Sumerian King List – by L.C. Geerts Reinvestigating the Antediluvian Sumerian King List – by R. K. Harrison The Sumerian King List – by Thorkild Jacobsen (The Oriental Institute of the University of California)               Section:  Artifacts Ancient Writings Myths & Legends Asia Tags:  Sumer Sumerian Sumerian King’s List mythical historical reign rulers Genesis Mesopotamia iraq Read the Comments(293 Comments) Sponsored Content Doctors Amazed: New Lung… AirPhysio Plus size black short sleeve… yoursclothinguk The Dating Site for… EliteSingles Sponsored 1/5 How the CLOUD Act may affect your data… IONOS cloud Read More [Pics] Royal Family Confirms Unfortunate… xfreehub Diabetics: Here’s How to Lower Blood Sugar (It’s… Diabetes Freedom [Pics] Feral Kid from Mad Max 2… Habittribe [Gallery] Airline Refuses To Let… Trendscatchers At 75, Tom Selleck And His… Worldemand Quiz: 9 Out Of 10 People Can’t Name These Actors Quizscape [Gallery] Why You Should Never Buy Meat From Aldi https://www.wanderoam.com/ Experts Ranked The Best US… Cleverst Bonmarche Firm Control… BON MARCHE [Gallery] Grace Kelly’s… The Fashion Ball [Pics] The Most Beautiful Dress Kate Middleton… Interesticle Your IQ Is 142 If You Get 15/20 On This General… TooCool2BeTrue APRIL April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan. Joanna… Read More RELATED ARTICLES ON ANCIENT-ORIGINS 3 MAY, 2021 – 22:09 WILLEM MCLOUD Sumerian Etana Translated As Biblical Enoch The Biblical Enoch corresponds to a remarkable degree with the figure of Etana in Sumerian tradition. It seems reasonable to assume that they belong to the same original tradition handed down in the… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT SUMERIAN ETANA TRANSLATED AS BIBLICAL ENOCH 1 MARCH, 2021 – 13:58 NATHAN FALDE Is Jiroft Site in Iran a True Cradle of Civilization? Archaeologists are preparing to launch the third major excavation of an important site on the Jiroft plain , in the Halil River valley of southeastern Iran . The Konar Sandal remains were exposed… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT IS JIROFT SITE IN IRAN A TRUE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION? 14 JANUARY, 2021 – 23:08 SARAH P YOUNG Ancient Mesopotamia and the Rise of Civilization In ancient times, Mesopotamia, meaning ‘land between two rivers’, was a vast region that lay between the Tigris and Euphrates river systems, and it is where civilization emerged over 7,000 years ago… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA AND THE RISE OF CIVILIZATION 13 JANUARY, 2021 – 19:46 WILLEM MCLOUD Mighty Gilgamesh: Archetype Of The Nephilim Gilgamesh is one of the greatest heroes of the ancient Middle Eastern world. The epic named after him has become one of the greatest literary works of all ages. There is, however, one aspect of… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT MIGHTY GILGAMESH: ARCHETYPE OF THE NEPHILIM 8 MAY, 2020 – 18:45 BRYAN HILL The Rise and Fall of Sumer and Akkad The Sumerians were the first known people to settle in Mesopotamia over 7,000 years ago. Located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern day Iraq),… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT THE RISE AND FALL OF SUMER AND AKKAD 14 JULY, 2019 – 01:53 CALEB STROM ‘First Kings’ Myths From Around the World: How Do They Compare? Monarchs have always played a very important role in how their subjects form their cultural identity. Egypt, China, and the Sumerian city-states are examples of some of the oldest monarchies. The… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ‘FIRST KINGS’ MYTHS FROM AROUND THE WORLD: HOW DO THEY COMPARE? MOST READ TODAY The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory The Mysterious Disappearance of the Thomas Hume and its Dramatic Rediscovery Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! 7 Amazing Glimpses into the Ancient Lives of Children King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Eight Surprising Things You Should Know About the Celts Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More     Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Sign Up for Premium Ads-FREE Content   Sponsored Stories Thousands Being Compensated To Miners For Mis-Sold Pension Transfers Get Claims Advice (claims management company) Stop overpaying on your energy bills. Search Energy Price Comparison Sites Yahoo! Search (Forbes) [Pics] Always Place A Bag On Your Car Mirror When Traveling Alone, Here’s Why Beachraider Recommended by   VIRAL ARTICLES Legends(active tab) Technology Ancient Places Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo Plus size black butterfly print sleeveless top 30-32 Update your casual collection with this new-in top Made from a soft woven fabric it features a butterfly print with a scoop neckline and sleeveless design Partner with jeans and sandals for the per… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Ancient Origins has been quoted by: TOP NEW STORIES Dover Castle: The Key to England at the Gateway to Europe Dover Castle has been dubbed the “Key to England” due to its location at the frontline of defense. Dover has played an important role in Britain’s history, both as a trading port and as the gateway… Archaeologists Uncover Preserved Ancient Pottery Workshop in Egypt Italian Researchers CT Scan Egyptian Priest Mummy The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Rare “Divine” Ancient Fire Temple Found in Iran Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! MYTHS & LEGENDS Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo HUMAN ORIGINS King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Have King Solomon’s Mines really been discovered? Yes, indeed. In fact, they have been known about for centuries, and modern archaeological work on them started way back in the early 19th century… Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend Is There Scientific Evidence for the Exodus? Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Ancient Treasures – Part II Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet In Sivershchina, close to the village of Mizyn in Ukraine is one of the oldest and most unique settlements of humans – and it was discovered in a parking lot. The now well-known archaeological site, known plainly as the Mizyn parking lot, dates back 18-20 thousand years. Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? Medical Mystery of Usermontu: Why the Discovery of 2,600-Year-Old Knee Screw Left Experts Dumbfounded Philip’s Fountain: The Oldest Still-In-Use Hydraulic Work in the World Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! ANCIENT PLACES The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory In the center of America’s Four Corners Region, Chaco Canyon is an arid, desolate place, sprinkled with the occasional, lonely juniper tree, cactus, or sage bush. Hundreds of mysterious, ancient structures haunt this canyon and the entire region, meticulously aligned along the paths of the Sun, Moon, and constellation Orion. Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Remembering the Future: How Ancient Maya Agronomists Changed the Modern World Fakes and Controversy on the River Clyde: The Case of Dumbuck Crannog Craco: The Abandoned Medieval Ghost Town of Italy OPINION Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? A central concept in the novel The Sphinx Scrolls is whether a mummification technology has ever existed that could preserve someone for long periods and retain the potential to bring them back to life. Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? The Underwater City of Cuba: A New Theory on its Origins – Part I Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Mount Shasta: Mystery Mountain and Sacred Destination Atlantis: Examining the Legendary Tale of Plato OUR MISSION At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exist countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings.  ANCIENT IMAGE GALLERIES Ancient Origins © 2013 – 2021 Disclaimer – Terms of Publication – Privacy Policy & Cookies – Advertising Policy – Submissions – We Give Back – Contact us A project of Stella Novus – Development and Customization by Novus Web Solutions ShareThis Copy and Paste

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Skip to main content ABOUT LOGIN REGISTER LINKS MEDIA EVENTS FORUMS CONTACT MEMBERSHIP PREMIUM APP TOURS ANCESTRY DNA FREE EBOOKS MAGAZINE Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More All   NEWS HUMAN ORIGINS HISTORY ARTIFACTS MYTHS PLACES UNEXPLAINED OPINION PREMIUM SHOP General History & Archaeology Science & Space Evolution & Human Origins Mysterious Phenomena Home / News UPDATED 30 JANUARY, 2014 – 07:07 APRILHOLLOWAY The Sumerian King List still puzzles historians after more than a century of research READ LATER  PRINT Out of the many incredible artefacts that have been recovered from sites in Iraq where flourishing Sumerian cities once stood, few have been more intriguing than the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer (ancient southern Iraq) from Sumerian and neighbouring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of “official” kingship. What makes this artefact so unique is the fact that the list blends apparently mythical pre-dynastic rulers with historical rulers who are known to have existed.  The first fragment of this rare and unique text, a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet, was found in the early 1900s by German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht at the site of ancient Nippur and published in 1906.  Since Hilprecht’s discovery, at least 18 other exemplars of the king’s list have been found, most of them dating from the second half of the Isin dynasty (c. 2017-1794 BCE.).  No two of these documents are identical. However, there is enough common material in all versions of the list to make it clear that they are derived from a single, “ideal” account of Sumerian history. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Among all the examples of the Sumerian King List, the Weld-Blundell prism in the Ashmolean Museum cuneiform collection in Oxford represents the most extensive version as well as the most complete copy of the King List. The 8-inch-high prism contains four sides with two columns on each side. It is believed that it originally had a wooden spindle going through its centre so that it could be rotated and read on all four sides. It lists rulers from the antediluvian (“before the flood”) dynasties to the fourteenth ruler of the Isin dynasty (ca. 1763–1753 BC). The list is of immense value because it reflects very old traditions while at the same time providing an important chronological framework relating to the different periods of kingship in Sumeria, and even demonstrates remarkable parallels to accounts in Genesis. The ancient civilisation of Sumer Sumer (sometimes called Sumeria), is the site of the earliest known civilization, located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More By the 3 rd millennium BC, Sumer was the site of at least twelve separate city states: Kish, Erech, Ur,Sippar, Akshak, Larak, Nippur, Adab, Umma, Lagash, Bad-tibira, and  Larsa. Each of these states comprised a walled city and its surrounding villages and land, and each worshiped its own deity, whose temple was the central structure of the city. Political power originally belonged to the citizens, but, as rivalry between the various city-states increased, each adopted the institution of  kingship.  The Sumerian King List , records that eight kings reigned before a great flood. After the Flood, various city-states and their dynasties of kings temporarily gained power over the others.  Sumer’s mythical past The Sumerian King List begins with the very origin of kingship, which is seen as a divine institution: “the kingship had descended from heaven”.  The rulers in the earliest dynasties are represented as reigning fantastically long periods: After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years. Some of the rulers mentioned in the early list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda and Gilgamesh, are mythical or legendary figures whose heroic feats are subjects of a series of Sumerian and Babylonian narrative compositions. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More The early list names eight kings with a total of 241,200 years from the time when kingship “descended from heaven” to the time when “the Flood” swept over the land and once more “the kingship was lowered from heaven” after the Flood. Interpretation of long reigns The amazingly long tenure of the early kings has provoked many attempts at interpretation. At one extreme is the complete dismissal of the astronomically large figures as “completely artificial” and the view that they are unworthy of serious consideration.  At the other extreme, is the belief that the numbers have a basis in reality and that the early kings were indeed gods who were capable of living much longer than humans. In between the two extremes is the hypothesis that the figures represent relative power, triumph or importance.  For example, in ancient Egypt, the phrase “he died aged 110” referred to someone who lived life to the full and who offered an important contribution to society.  In the same way, the extremely long periods of reign of the early kings may represent how incredibly important they were perceived as being in the eyes of the people. This doesn’t explain, however, why the periods of tenure later switched to realistic time periods. Related to this perspective is the belief that although the early kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicised. Finally, some scholars have sought to explain the figures through a mathematical investigation and interpretation (e.g. Harrison, 1993). Relation to Genesis Some scholars (e.g. Wood, 2003) have drawn attention to the fact that there are remarkable similarities between the Sumerian King List and accounts in Genesis.  For example, Genesis tells the story of ‘the great flood’ and Noah’s efforts to save all the species of animals on Earth from destruction.  Likewise, in the Sumerian King List, there is discussion of a great deluge: “the flood swept over the earth.” The Sumerian King List provides a list of eight kings (some versions have 10) who reigned for long periods of time before the flood, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200 years.  This is similar to Genesis 5, where the generations from Creation to the Flood are recorded. Interestingly, between Adam and Noah there are eight generations, just as there are eight kings between the beginning of kingship and the flood in the Sumerian King List. After the flood, the King List records kings who ruled for much shorter periods of time. Thus, the Sumerian King List not only documents a great flood early in man’s history, but it also reflects the same pattern of decreasing longevity as found in the Bible – men had extremely long life spans before the flood and much shorter life spans following the flood (Wood, 2003). The Sumerian King List truly is a perplexing mystery. Why would the Sumerians combine mythical rulers with actual historical rulers in one document? Why are there so many similarities with Genesis? Why were ancient kings described as ruling for thousands of years? These are just some of the questions that still remain unanswered after more than a century of research. By April Holloway References The Sumerian King List – University of Oxford Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Sumerian King List – by Bryant G. Wood The Sumerian king list: translation – The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature The Sumerian King List – by L.C. Geerts Reinvestigating the Antediluvian Sumerian King List – by R. K. Harrison The Sumerian King List – by Thorkild Jacobsen (The Oriental Institute of the University of California)               Section:  Artifacts Ancient Writings Myths & Legends Asia Tags:  Sumer Sumerian Sumerian King’s List mythical historical reign rulers Genesis Mesopotamia iraq Read the Comments(293 Comments) Sponsored Content Doctors Amazed: New Lung… AirPhysio Plus size black short sleeve… yoursclothinguk The Dating Site for… EliteSingles Sponsored 3/5 Skip Adskip_next Read More [Pics] Royal Family Confirms Unfortunate… xfreehub Diabetics: Here’s How to Lower Blood Sugar (It’s… Diabetes Freedom [Pics] Feral Kid from Mad Max 2… Habittribe [Gallery] Airline Refuses To Let… Trendscatchers At 75, Tom Selleck And His… Worldemand Quiz: 9 Out Of 10 People Can’t Name These Actors Quizscape [Gallery] Why You Should Never Buy Meat From Aldi https://www.wanderoam.com/ Experts Ranked The Best US… Cleverst Bonmarche Firm Control… BON MARCHE [Gallery] Grace Kelly’s… The Fashion Ball [Pics] The Most Beautiful Dress Kate Middleton… Interesticle Your IQ Is 142 If You Get 15/20 On This General… TooCool2BeTrue APRIL April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan. Joanna… Read More RELATED ARTICLES ON ANCIENT-ORIGINS 3 MAY, 2021 – 22:09 WILLEM MCLOUD Sumerian Etana Translated As Biblical Enoch The Biblical Enoch corresponds to a remarkable degree with the figure of Etana in Sumerian tradition. It seems reasonable to assume that they belong to the same original tradition handed down in the… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT SUMERIAN ETANA TRANSLATED AS BIBLICAL ENOCH 1 MARCH, 2021 – 13:58 NATHAN FALDE Is Jiroft Site in Iran a True Cradle of Civilization? Archaeologists are preparing to launch the third major excavation of an important site on the Jiroft plain , in the Halil River valley of southeastern Iran . The Konar Sandal remains were exposed… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT IS JIROFT SITE IN IRAN A TRUE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION? 14 JANUARY, 2021 – 23:08 SARAH P YOUNG Ancient Mesopotamia and the Rise of Civilization In ancient times, Mesopotamia, meaning ‘land between two rivers’, was a vast region that lay between the Tigris and Euphrates river systems, and it is where civilization emerged over 7,000 years ago… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA AND THE RISE OF CIVILIZATION 13 JANUARY, 2021 – 19:46 WILLEM MCLOUD Mighty Gilgamesh: Archetype Of The Nephilim Gilgamesh is one of the greatest heroes of the ancient Middle Eastern world. The epic named after him has become one of the greatest literary works of all ages. There is, however, one aspect of… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT MIGHTY GILGAMESH: ARCHETYPE OF THE NEPHILIM 8 MAY, 2020 – 18:45 BRYAN HILL The Rise and Fall of Sumer and Akkad The Sumerians were the first known people to settle in Mesopotamia over 7,000 years ago. Located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern day Iraq),… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT THE RISE AND FALL OF SUMER AND AKKAD 14 JULY, 2019 – 01:53 CALEB STROM ‘First Kings’ Myths From Around the World: How Do They Compare? Monarchs have always played a very important role in how their subjects form their cultural identity. Egypt, China, and the Sumerian city-states are examples of some of the oldest monarchies. The… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ‘FIRST KINGS’ MYTHS FROM AROUND THE WORLD: HOW DO THEY COMPARE? MOST READ TODAY The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory The Mysterious Disappearance of the Thomas Hume and its Dramatic Rediscovery Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! 7 Amazing Glimpses into the Ancient Lives of Children King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Eight Surprising Things You Should Know About the Celts Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More     Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Sign Up for Premium Ads-FREE Content   Sponsored Stories Thousands Being Compensated To Miners For Mis-Sold Pension Transfers Get Claims Advice (claims management company) Stop overpaying on your energy bills. Search Energy Price Comparison Sites Yahoo! Search (Forbes) [Pics] Always Place A Bag On Your Car Mirror When Traveling Alone, Here’s Why Beachraider Recommended by   VIRAL ARTICLES Legends(active tab) Technology Ancient Places Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo Plus size black butterfly print sleeveless top 30-32 Update your casual collection with this new-in top Made from a soft woven fabric it features a butterfly print with a scoop neckline and sleeveless design Partner with jeans and sandals for the per… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Ancient Origins has been quoted by: TOP NEW STORIES Dover Castle: The Key to England at the Gateway to Europe Dover Castle has been dubbed the “Key to England” due to its location at the frontline of defense. Dover has played an important role in Britain’s history, both as a trading port and as the gateway… Archaeologists Uncover Preserved Ancient Pottery Workshop in Egypt Italian Researchers CT Scan Egyptian Priest Mummy The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Rare “Divine” Ancient Fire Temple Found in Iran Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! MYTHS & LEGENDS Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo HUMAN ORIGINS King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Have King Solomon’s Mines really been discovered? Yes, indeed. In fact, they have been known about for centuries, and modern archaeological work on them started way back in the early 19th century… Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend Is There Scientific Evidence for the Exodus? Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Ancient Treasures – Part II Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet In Sivershchina, close to the village of Mizyn in Ukraine is one of the oldest and most unique settlements of humans – and it was discovered in a parking lot. The now well-known archaeological site, known plainly as the Mizyn parking lot, dates back 18-20 thousand years. Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? Medical Mystery of Usermontu: Why the Discovery of 2,600-Year-Old Knee Screw Left Experts Dumbfounded Philip’s Fountain: The Oldest Still-In-Use Hydraulic Work in the World Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! ANCIENT PLACES The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory In the center of America’s Four Corners Region, Chaco Canyon is an arid, desolate place, sprinkled with the occasional, lonely juniper tree, cactus, or sage bush. Hundreds of mysterious, ancient structures haunt this canyon and the entire region, meticulously aligned along the paths of the Sun, Moon, and constellation Orion. Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Remembering the Future: How Ancient Maya Agronomists Changed the Modern World Fakes and Controversy on the River Clyde: The Case of Dumbuck Crannog Craco: The Abandoned Medieval Ghost Town of Italy OPINION Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? A central concept in the novel The Sphinx Scrolls is whether a mummification technology has ever existed that could preserve someone for long periods and retain the potential to bring them back to life. Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? The Underwater City of Cuba: A New Theory on its Origins – Part I Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Mount Shasta: Mystery Mountain and Sacred Destination Atlantis: Examining the Legendary Tale of Plato OUR MISSION At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exist countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings.  ANCIENT IMAGE GALLERIES Ancient Origins © 2013 – 2021 Disclaimer – Terms of Publication – Privacy Policy & Cookies – Advertising Policy – Submissions – We Give Back – Contact us A project of Stella Novus – Development and Customization by Novus Web Solutions Skip to main content ABOUT LOGIN REGISTER LINKS MEDIA EVENTS FORUMS CONTACT MEMBERSHIP PREMIUM APP TOURS ANCESTRY DNA FREE EBOOKS MAGAZINE Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More All   NEWS HUMAN ORIGINS HISTORY ARTIFACTS MYTHS PLACES UNEXPLAINED OPINION PREMIUM SHOP General History & Archaeology Science & Space Evolution & Human Origins Mysterious Phenomena Home / News UPDATED 30 JANUARY, 2014 – 07:07 APRILHOLLOWAY The Sumerian King List still puzzles historians after more than a century of research READ LATER  PRINT Out of the many incredible artefacts that have been recovered from sites in Iraq where flourishing Sumerian cities once stood, few have been more intriguing than the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer (ancient southern Iraq) from Sumerian and neighbouring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of “official” kingship. What makes this artefact so unique is the fact that the list blends apparently mythical pre-dynastic rulers with historical rulers who are known to have existed.  The first fragment of this rare and unique text, a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet, was found in the early 1900s by German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht at the site of ancient Nippur and published in 1906.  Since Hilprecht’s discovery, at least 18 other exemplars of the king’s list have been found, most of them dating from the second half of the Isin dynasty (c. 2017-1794 BCE.).  No two of these documents are identical. However, there is enough common material in all versions of the list to make it clear that they are derived from a single, “ideal” account of Sumerian history. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Among all the examples of the Sumerian King List, the Weld-Blundell prism in the Ashmolean Museum cuneiform collection in Oxford represents the most extensive version as well as the most complete copy of the King List. The 8-inch-high prism contains four sides with two columns on each side. It is believed that it originally had a wooden spindle going through its centre so that it could be rotated and read on all four sides. It lists rulers from the antediluvian (“before the flood”) dynasties to the fourteenth ruler of the Isin dynasty (ca. 1763–1753 BC). The list is of immense value because it reflects very old traditions while at the same time providing an important chronological framework relating to the different periods of kingship in Sumeria, and even demonstrates remarkable parallels to accounts in Genesis. The ancient civilisation of Sumer Sumer (sometimes called Sumeria), is the site of the earliest known civilization, located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More By the 3 rd millennium BC, Sumer was the site of at least twelve separate city states: Kish, Erech, Ur,Sippar, Akshak, Larak, Nippur, Adab, Umma, Lagash, Bad-tibira, and  Larsa. Each of these states comprised a walled city and its surrounding villages and land, and each worshiped its own deity, whose temple was the central structure of the city. Political power originally belonged to the citizens, but, as rivalry between the various city-states increased, each adopted the institution of  kingship.  The Sumerian King List , records that eight kings reigned before a great flood. After the Flood, various city-states and their dynasties of kings temporarily gained power over the others.  Sumer’s mythical past The Sumerian King List begins with the very origin of kingship, which is seen as a divine institution: “the kingship had descended from heaven”.  The rulers in the earliest dynasties are represented as reigning fantastically long periods: After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years. Some of the rulers mentioned in the early list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda and Gilgamesh, are mythical or legendary figures whose heroic feats are subjects of a series of Sumerian and Babylonian narrative compositions. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More The early list names eight kings with a total of 241,200 years from the time when kingship “descended from heaven” to the time when “the Flood” swept over the land and once more “the kingship was lowered from heaven” after the Flood. Interpretation of long reigns The amazingly long tenure of the early kings has provoked many attempts at interpretation. At one extreme is the complete dismissal of the astronomically large figures as “completely artificial” and the view that they are unworthy of serious consideration.  At the other extreme, is the belief that the numbers have a basis in reality and that the early kings were indeed gods who were capable of living much longer than humans. In between the two extremes is the hypothesis that the figures represent relative power, triumph or importance.  For example, in ancient Egypt, the phrase “he died aged 110” referred to someone who lived life to the full and who offered an important contribution to society.  In the same way, the extremely long periods of reign of the early kings may represent how incredibly important they were perceived as being in the eyes of the people. This doesn’t explain, however, why the periods of tenure later switched to realistic time periods. Related to this perspective is the belief that although the early kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicised. Finally, some scholars have sought to explain the figures through a mathematical investigation and interpretation (e.g. Harrison, 1993). Relation to Genesis Some scholars (e.g. Wood, 2003) have drawn attention to the fact that there are remarkable similarities between the Sumerian King List and accounts in Genesis.  For example, Genesis tells the story of ‘the great flood’ and Noah’s efforts to save all the species of animals on Earth from destruction.  Likewise, in the Sumerian King List, there is discussion of a great deluge: “the flood swept over the earth.” The Sumerian King List provides a list of eight kings (some versions have 10) who reigned for long periods of time before the flood, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200 years.  This is similar to Genesis 5, where the generations from Creation to the Flood are recorded. Interestingly, between Adam and Noah there are eight generations, just as there are eight kings between the beginning of kingship and the flood in the Sumerian King List. After the flood, the King List records kings who ruled for much shorter periods of time. Thus, the Sumerian King List not only documents a great flood early in man’s history, but it also reflects the same pattern of decreasing longevity as found in the Bible – men had extremely long life spans before the flood and much shorter life spans following the flood (Wood, 2003). The Sumerian King List truly is a perplexing mystery. Why would the Sumerians combine mythical rulers with actual historical rulers in one document? Why are there so many similarities with Genesis? Why were ancient kings described as ruling for thousands of years? These are just some of the questions that still remain unanswered after more than a century of research. By April Holloway References The Sumerian King List – University of Oxford Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Sumerian King List – by Bryant G. Wood The Sumerian king list: translation – The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature The Sumerian King List – by L.C. Geerts Reinvestigating the Antediluvian Sumerian King List – by R. K. Harrison The Sumerian King List – by Thorkild Jacobsen (The Oriental Institute of the University of California)               Section:  Artifacts Ancient Writings Myths & Legends Asia Tags:  Sumer Sumerian Sumerian King’s List mythical historical reign rulers Genesis Mesopotamia iraq Read the Comments(293 Comments) Sponsored Content Doctors Amazed: New Lung… AirPhysio Plus size black short sleeve… yoursclothinguk The Dating Site for… EliteSingles Sponsored 3/5 Skip Adskip_next Read More [Pics] Royal Family Confirms Unfortunate… xfreehub Diabetics: Here’s How to Lower Blood Sugar (It’s… Diabetes Freedom [Pics] Feral Kid from Mad Max 2… Habittribe [Gallery] Airline Refuses To Let… Trendscatchers At 75, Tom Selleck And His… Worldemand Quiz: 9 Out Of 10 People Can’t Name These Actors Quizscape [Gallery] Why You Should Never Buy Meat From Aldi https://www.wanderoam.com/ Experts Ranked The Best US… Cleverst Bonmarche Firm Control… BON MARCHE [Gallery] Grace Kelly’s… The Fashion Ball [Pics] The Most Beautiful Dress Kate Middleton… Interesticle Your IQ Is 142 If You Get 15/20 On This General… TooCool2BeTrue APRIL April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan. Joanna… Read More RELATED ARTICLES ON ANCIENT-ORIGINS 3 MAY, 2021 – 22:09 WILLEM MCLOUD Sumerian Etana Translated As Biblical Enoch The Biblical Enoch corresponds to a remarkable degree with the figure of Etana in Sumerian tradition. It seems reasonable to assume that they belong to the same original tradition handed down in the… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT SUMERIAN ETANA TRANSLATED AS BIBLICAL ENOCH 1 MARCH, 2021 – 13:58 NATHAN FALDE Is Jiroft Site in Iran a True Cradle of Civilization? Archaeologists are preparing to launch the third major excavation of an important site on the Jiroft plain , in the Halil River valley of southeastern Iran . The Konar Sandal remains were exposed… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT IS JIROFT SITE IN IRAN A TRUE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION? 14 JANUARY, 2021 – 23:08 SARAH P YOUNG Ancient Mesopotamia and the Rise of Civilization In ancient times, Mesopotamia, meaning ‘land between two rivers’, was a vast region that lay between the Tigris and Euphrates river systems, and it is where civilization emerged over 7,000 years ago… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA AND THE RISE OF CIVILIZATION 13 JANUARY, 2021 – 19:46 WILLEM MCLOUD Mighty Gilgamesh: Archetype Of The Nephilim Gilgamesh is one of the greatest heroes of the ancient Middle Eastern world. The epic named after him has become one of the greatest literary works of all ages. There is, however, one aspect of… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT MIGHTY GILGAMESH: ARCHETYPE OF THE NEPHILIM 8 MAY, 2020 – 18:45 BRYAN HILL The Rise and Fall of Sumer and Akkad The Sumerians were the first known people to settle in Mesopotamia over 7,000 years ago. Located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern day Iraq),… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT THE RISE AND FALL OF SUMER AND AKKAD 14 JULY, 2019 – 01:53 CALEB STROM ‘First Kings’ Myths From Around the World: How Do They Compare? Monarchs have always played a very important role in how their subjects form their cultural identity. Egypt, China, and the Sumerian city-states are examples of some of the oldest monarchies. The… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ‘FIRST KINGS’ MYTHS FROM AROUND THE WORLD: HOW DO THEY COMPARE? MOST READ TODAY The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory The Mysterious Disappearance of the Thomas Hume and its Dramatic Rediscovery Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! 7 Amazing Glimpses into the Ancient Lives of Children King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Eight Surprising Things You Should Know About the Celts Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More     Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Sign Up for Premium Ads-FREE Content   Sponsored Stories Thousands Being Compensated To Miners For Mis-Sold Pension Transfers Get Claims Advice (claims management company) Stop overpaying on your energy bills. Search Energy Price Comparison Sites Yahoo! Search (Forbes) [Pics] Always Place A Bag On Your Car Mirror When Traveling Alone, Here’s Why Beachraider Recommended by   VIRAL ARTICLES Legends(active tab) Technology Ancient Places Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo Plus size black butterfly print sleeveless top 30-32 Update your casual collection with this new-in top Made from a soft woven fabric it features a butterfly print with a scoop neckline and sleeveless design Partner with jeans and sandals for the per… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Ancient Origins has been quoted by: TOP NEW STORIES Dover Castle: The Key to England at the Gateway to Europe Dover Castle has been dubbed the “Key to England” due to its location at the frontline of defense. Dover has played an important role in Britain’s history, both as a trading port and as the gateway… Archaeologists Uncover Preserved Ancient Pottery Workshop in Egypt Italian Researchers CT Scan Egyptian Priest Mummy The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Rare “Divine” Ancient Fire Temple Found in Iran Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! MYTHS & LEGENDS Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo HUMAN ORIGINS King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Have King Solomon’s Mines really been discovered? Yes, indeed. In fact, they have been known about for centuries, and modern archaeological work on them started way back in the early 19th century… Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend Is There Scientific Evidence for the Exodus? Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Ancient Treasures – Part II Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet In Sivershchina, close to the village of Mizyn in Ukraine is one of the oldest and most unique settlements of humans – and it was discovered in a parking lot. The now well-known archaeological site, known plainly as the Mizyn parking lot, dates back 18-20 thousand years. Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? Medical Mystery of Usermontu: Why the Discovery of 2,600-Year-Old Knee Screw Left Experts Dumbfounded Philip’s Fountain: The Oldest Still-In-Use Hydraulic Work in the World Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! ANCIENT PLACES The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory In the center of America’s Four Corners Region, Chaco Canyon is an arid, desolate place, sprinkled with the occasional, lonely juniper tree, cactus, or sage bush. Hundreds of mysterious, ancient structures haunt this canyon and the entire region, meticulously aligned along the paths of the Sun, Moon, and constellation Orion. Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Remembering the Future: How Ancient Maya Agronomists Changed the Modern World Fakes and Controversy on the River Clyde: The Case of Dumbuck Crannog Craco: The Abandoned Medieval Ghost Town of Italy OPINION Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? A central concept in the novel The Sphinx Scrolls is whether a mummification technology has ever existed that could preserve someone for long periods and retain the potential to bring them back to life. Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? The Underwater City of Cuba: A New Theory on its Origins – Part I Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Mount Shasta: Mystery Mountain and Sacred Destination Atlantis: Examining the Legendary Tale of Plato OUR MISSION At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exist countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings.  ANCIENT IMAGE GALLERIES Ancient Origins © 2013 – 2021 Disclaimer – Terms of Publication – Privacy Policy & Cookies – Advertising Policy – Submissions – We Give Back – Contact us A project of Stella Novus – Development and Customization by Novus Web Solutions Skip to main content ABOUT LOGIN REGISTER LINKS MEDIA EVENTS FORUMS CONTACT MEMBERSHIP PREMIUM APP TOURS ANCESTRY DNA FREE EBOOKS MAGAZINE Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More All   NEWS HUMAN ORIGINS HISTORY ARTIFACTS MYTHS PLACES UNEXPLAINED OPINION PREMIUM SHOP General History & Archaeology Science & Space Evolution & Human Origins Mysterious Phenomena Home / News UPDATED 30 JANUARY, 2014 – 07:07 APRILHOLLOWAY The Sumerian King List still puzzles historians after more than a century of research READ LATER  PRINT Out of the many incredible artefacts that have been recovered from sites in Iraq where flourishing Sumerian cities once stood, few have been more intriguing than the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer (ancient southern Iraq) from Sumerian and neighbouring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of “official” kingship. What makes this artefact so unique is the fact that the list blends apparently mythical pre-dynastic rulers with historical rulers who are known to have existed.  The first fragment of this rare and unique text, a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet, was found in the early 1900s by German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht at the site of ancient Nippur and published in 1906.  Since Hilprecht’s discovery, at least 18 other exemplars of the king’s list have been found, most of them dating from the second half of the Isin dynasty (c. 2017-1794 BCE.).  No two of these documents are identical. However, there is enough common material in all versions of the list to make it clear that they are derived from a single, “ideal” account of Sumerian history. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Among all the examples of the Sumerian King List, the Weld-Blundell prism in the Ashmolean Museum cuneiform collection in Oxford represents the most extensive version as well as the most complete copy of the King List. The 8-inch-high prism contains four sides with two columns on each side. It is believed that it originally had a wooden spindle going through its centre so that it could be rotated and read on all four sides. It lists rulers from the antediluvian (“before the flood”) dynasties to the fourteenth ruler of the Isin dynasty (ca. 1763–1753 BC). The list is of immense value because it reflects very old traditions while at the same time providing an important chronological framework relating to the different periods of kingship in Sumeria, and even demonstrates remarkable parallels to accounts in Genesis. The ancient civilisation of Sumer Sumer (sometimes called Sumeria), is the site of the earliest known civilization, located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More By the 3 rd millennium BC, Sumer was the site of at least twelve separate city states: Kish, Erech, Ur,Sippar, Akshak, Larak, Nippur, Adab, Umma, Lagash, Bad-tibira, and  Larsa. Each of these states comprised a walled city and its surrounding villages and land, and each worshiped its own deity, whose temple was the central structure of the city. Political power originally belonged to the citizens, but, as rivalry between the various city-states increased, each adopted the institution of  kingship.  The Sumerian King List , records that eight kings reigned before a great flood. After the Flood, various city-states and their dynasties of kings temporarily gained power over the others.  Sumer’s mythical past The Sumerian King List begins with the very origin of kingship, which is seen as a divine institution: “the kingship had descended from heaven”.  The rulers in the earliest dynasties are represented as reigning fantastically long periods: After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years. Some of the rulers mentioned in the early list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda and Gilgamesh, are mythical or legendary figures whose heroic feats are subjects of a series of Sumerian and Babylonian narrative compositions. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More The early list names eight kings with a total of 241,200 years from the time when kingship “descended from heaven” to the time when “the Flood” swept over the land and once more “the kingship was lowered from heaven” after the Flood. Interpretation of long reigns The amazingly long tenure of the early kings has provoked many attempts at interpretation. At one extreme is the complete dismissal of the astronomically large figures as “completely artificial” and the view that they are unworthy of serious consideration.  At the other extreme, is the belief that the numbers have a basis in reality and that the early kings were indeed gods who were capable of living much longer than humans. In between the two extremes is the hypothesis that the figures represent relative power, triumph or importance.  For example, in ancient Egypt, the phrase “he died aged 110” referred to someone who lived life to the full and who offered an important contribution to society.  In the same way, the extremely long periods of reign of the early kings may represent how incredibly important they were perceived as being in the eyes of the people. This doesn’t explain, however, why the periods of tenure later switched to realistic time periods. Related to this perspective is the belief that although the early kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicised. Finally, some scholars have sought to explain the figures through a mathematical investigation and interpretation (e.g. Harrison, 1993). Relation to Genesis Some scholars (e.g. Wood, 2003) have drawn attention to the fact that there are remarkable similarities between the Sumerian King List and accounts in Genesis.  For example, Genesis tells the story of ‘the great flood’ and Noah’s efforts to save all the species of animals on Earth from destruction.  Likewise, in the Sumerian King List, there is discussion of a great deluge: “the flood swept over the earth.” The Sumerian King List provides a list of eight kings (some versions have 10) who reigned for long periods of time before the flood, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200 years.  This is similar to Genesis 5, where the generations from Creation to the Flood are recorded. Interestingly, between Adam and Noah there are eight generations, just as there are eight kings between the beginning of kingship and the flood in the Sumerian King List. After the flood, the King List records kings who ruled for much shorter periods of time. Thus, the Sumerian King List not only documents a great flood early in man’s history, but it also reflects the same pattern of decreasing longevity as found in the Bible – men had extremely long life spans before the flood and much shorter life spans following the flood (Wood, 2003). The Sumerian King List truly is a perplexing mystery. Why would the Sumerians combine mythical rulers with actual historical rulers in one document? Why are there so many similarities with Genesis? Why were ancient kings described as ruling for thousands of years? These are just some of the questions that still remain unanswered after more than a century of research. By April Holloway References The Sumerian King List – University of Oxford Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Sumerian King List – by Bryant G. Wood The Sumerian king list: translation – The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature The Sumerian King List – by L.C. Geerts Reinvestigating the Antediluvian Sumerian King List – by R. K. Harrison The Sumerian King List – by Thorkild Jacobsen (The Oriental Institute of the University of California)               Section:  Artifacts Ancient Writings Myths & Legends Asia Tags:  Sumer Sumerian Sumerian King’s List mythical historical reign rulers Genesis Mesopotamia iraq Read the Comments(293 Comments) Sponsored Content Doctors Amazed: New Lung… AirPhysio Plus size black short sleeve… yoursclothinguk The Dating Site for… EliteSingles Sponsored 1/5 How the CLOUD Act may affect your data… IONOS cloud Read More [Pics] Royal Family Confirms Unfortunate… xfreehub Diabetics: Here’s How to Lower Blood Sugar (It’s… Diabetes Freedom [Pics] Feral Kid from Mad Max 2… Habittribe [Gallery] Airline Refuses To Let… Trendscatchers At 75, Tom Selleck And His… Worldemand Quiz: 9 Out Of 10 People Can’t Name These Actors Quizscape [Gallery] Why You Should Never Buy Meat From Aldi https://www.wanderoam.com/ Experts Ranked The Best US… Cleverst Bonmarche Firm Control… BON MARCHE [Gallery] Grace Kelly’s… The Fashion Ball [Pics] The Most Beautiful Dress Kate Middleton… Interesticle Your IQ Is 142 If You Get 15/20 On This General… TooCool2BeTrue APRIL April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan. Joanna… Read More RELATED ARTICLES ON ANCIENT-ORIGINS 3 MAY, 2021 – 22:09 WILLEM MCLOUD Sumerian Etana Translated As Biblical Enoch The Biblical Enoch corresponds to a remarkable degree with the figure of Etana in Sumerian tradition. It seems reasonable to assume that they belong to the same original tradition handed down in the… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT SUMERIAN ETANA TRANSLATED AS BIBLICAL ENOCH 1 MARCH, 2021 – 13:58 NATHAN FALDE Is Jiroft Site in Iran a True Cradle of Civilization? Archaeologists are preparing to launch the third major excavation of an important site on the Jiroft plain , in the Halil River valley of southeastern Iran . The Konar Sandal remains were exposed… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT IS JIROFT SITE IN IRAN A TRUE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION? 14 JANUARY, 2021 – 23:08 SARAH P YOUNG Ancient Mesopotamia and the Rise of Civilization In ancient times, Mesopotamia, meaning ‘land between two rivers’, was a vast region that lay between the Tigris and Euphrates river systems, and it is where civilization emerged over 7,000 years ago… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA AND THE RISE OF CIVILIZATION 13 JANUARY, 2021 – 19:46 WILLEM MCLOUD Mighty Gilgamesh: Archetype Of The Nephilim Gilgamesh is one of the greatest heroes of the ancient Middle Eastern world. The epic named after him has become one of the greatest literary works of all ages. There is, however, one aspect of… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT MIGHTY GILGAMESH: ARCHETYPE OF THE NEPHILIM 8 MAY, 2020 – 18:45 BRYAN HILL The Rise and Fall of Sumer and Akkad The Sumerians were the first known people to settle in Mesopotamia over 7,000 years ago. Located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern day Iraq),… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT THE RISE AND FALL OF SUMER AND AKKAD 14 JULY, 2019 – 01:53 CALEB STROM ‘First Kings’ Myths From Around the World: How Do They Compare? Monarchs have always played a very important role in how their subjects form their cultural identity. Egypt, China, and the Sumerian city-states are examples of some of the oldest monarchies. The… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ‘FIRST KINGS’ MYTHS FROM AROUND THE WORLD: HOW DO THEY COMPARE? MOST READ TODAY The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory The Mysterious Disappearance of the Thomas Hume and its Dramatic Rediscovery Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! 7 Amazing Glimpses into the Ancient Lives of Children King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Eight Surprising Things You Should Know About the Celts Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More     Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Sign Up for Premium Ads-FREE Content   Sponsored Stories Thousands Being Compensated To Miners For Mis-Sold Pension Transfers Get Claims Advice (claims management company) Stop overpaying on your energy bills. Search Energy Price Comparison Sites Yahoo! Search (Forbes) [Pics] Always Place A Bag On Your Car Mirror When Traveling Alone, Here’s Why Beachraider Recommended by   VIRAL ARTICLES Legends(active tab) Technology Ancient Places Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo Plus size black butterfly print sleeveless top 30-32 Update your casual collection with this new-in top Made from a soft woven fabric it features a butterfly print with a scoop neckline and sleeveless design Partner with jeans and sandals for the per… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Ancient Origins has been quoted by: TOP NEW STORIES Dover Castle: The Key to England at the Gateway to Europe Dover Castle has been dubbed the “Key to England” due to its location at the frontline of defense. Dover has played an important role in Britain’s history, both as a trading port and as the gateway… Archaeologists Uncover Preserved Ancient Pottery Workshop in Egypt Italian Researchers CT Scan Egyptian Priest Mummy The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Rare “Divine” Ancient Fire Temple Found in Iran Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! MYTHS & LEGENDS Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo HUMAN ORIGINS King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Have King Solomon’s Mines really been discovered? Yes, indeed. In fact, they have been known about for centuries, and modern archaeological work on them started way back in the early 19th century… Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend Is There Scientific Evidence for the Exodus? Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Ancient Treasures – Part II Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet In Sivershchina, close to the village of Mizyn in Ukraine is one of the oldest and most unique settlements of humans – and it was discovered in a parking lot. The now well-known archaeological site, known plainly as the Mizyn parking lot, dates back 18-20 thousand years. Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? Medical Mystery of Usermontu: Why the Discovery of 2,600-Year-Old Knee Screw Left Experts Dumbfounded Philip’s Fountain: The Oldest Still-In-Use Hydraulic Work in the World Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! ANCIENT PLACES The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory In the center of America’s Four Corners Region, Chaco Canyon is an arid, desolate place, sprinkled with the occasional, lonely juniper tree, cactus, or sage bush. Hundreds of mysterious, ancient structures haunt this canyon and the entire region, meticulously aligned along the paths of the Sun, Moon, and constellation Orion. Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Remembering the Future: How Ancient Maya Agronomists Changed the Modern World Fakes and Controversy on the River Clyde: The Case of Dumbuck Crannog Craco: The Abandoned Medieval Ghost Town of Italy OPINION Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? A central concept in the novel The Sphinx Scrolls is whether a mummification technology has ever existed that could preserve someone for long periods and retain the potential to bring them back to life. Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? The Underwater City of Cuba: A New Theory on its Origins – Part I Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Mount Shasta: Mystery Mountain and Sacred Destination Atlantis: Examining the Legendary Tale of Plato OUR MISSION At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exist countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings.  ANCIENT IMAGE GALLERIES Ancient Origins © 2013 – 2021 Disclaimer – Terms of Publication – Privacy Policy & Cookies – Advertising Policy – Submissions – We Give Back – Contact us A project of Stella Novus – Development and Customization by Novus Web Solutions ShareThis Copy and Paste Skip to main content ABOUT LOGIN REGISTER LINKS MEDIA EVENTS FORUMS CONTACT MEMBERSHIP PREMIUM APP TOURS ANCESTRY DNA FREE EBOOKS MAGAZINE Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More All   NEWS HUMAN ORIGINS HISTORY ARTIFACTS MYTHS PLACES UNEXPLAINED OPINION PREMIUM SHOP General History & Archaeology Science & Space Evolution & Human Origins Mysterious Phenomena Home / News UPDATED 30 JANUARY, 2014 – 07:07 APRILHOLLOWAY The Sumerian King List still puzzles historians after more than a century of research READ LATER  PRINT Out of the many incredible artefacts that have been recovered from sites in Iraq where flourishing Sumerian cities once stood, few have been more intriguing than the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer (ancient southern Iraq) from Sumerian and neighbouring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of “official” kingship. What makes this artefact so unique is the fact that the list blends apparently mythical pre-dynastic rulers with historical rulers who are known to have existed.  The first fragment of this rare and unique text, a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet, was found in the early 1900s by German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht at the site of ancient Nippur and published in 1906.  Since Hilprecht’s discovery, at least 18 other exemplars of the king’s list have been found, most of them dating from the second half of the Isin dynasty (c. 2017-1794 BCE.).  No two of these documents are identical. However, there is enough common material in all versions of the list to make it clear that they are derived from a single, “ideal” account of Sumerian history. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Among all the examples of the Sumerian King List, the Weld-Blundell prism in the Ashmolean Museum cuneiform collection in Oxford represents the most extensive version as well as the most complete copy of the King List. The 8-inch-high prism contains four sides with two columns on each side. It is believed that it originally had a wooden spindle going through its centre so that it could be rotated and read on all four sides. It lists rulers from the antediluvian (“before the flood”) dynasties to the fourteenth ruler of the Isin dynasty (ca. 1763–1753 BC). The list is of immense value because it reflects very old traditions while at the same time providing an important chronological framework relating to the different periods of kingship in Sumeria, and even demonstrates remarkable parallels to accounts in Genesis. The ancient civilisation of Sumer Sumer (sometimes called Sumeria), is the site of the earliest known civilization, located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More By the 3 rd millennium BC, Sumer was the site of at least twelve separate city states: Kish, Erech, Ur,Sippar, Akshak, Larak, Nippur, Adab, Umma, Lagash, Bad-tibira, and  Larsa. Each of these states comprised a walled city and its surrounding villages and land, and each worshiped its own deity, whose temple was the central structure of the city. Political power originally belonged to the citizens, but, as rivalry between the various city-states increased, each adopted the institution of  kingship.  The Sumerian King List , records that eight kings reigned before a great flood. After the Flood, various city-states and their dynasties of kings temporarily gained power over the others.  Sumer’s mythical past The Sumerian King List begins with the very origin of kingship, which is seen as a divine institution: “the kingship had descended from heaven”.  The rulers in the earliest dynasties are represented as reigning fantastically long periods: After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years. Some of the rulers mentioned in the early list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda and Gilgamesh, are mythical or legendary figures whose heroic feats are subjects of a series of Sumerian and Babylonian narrative compositions. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More The early list names eight kings with a total of 241,200 years from the time when kingship “descended from heaven” to the time when “the Flood” swept over the land and once more “the kingship was lowered from heaven” after the Flood. Interpretation of long reigns The amazingly long tenure of the early kings has provoked many attempts at interpretation. At one extreme is the complete dismissal of the astronomically large figures as “completely artificial” and the view that they are unworthy of serious consideration.  At the other extreme, is the belief that the numbers have a basis in reality and that the early kings were indeed gods who were capable of living much longer than humans. In between the two extremes is the hypothesis that the figures represent relative power, triumph or importance.  For example, in ancient Egypt, the phrase “he died aged 110” referred to someone who lived life to the full and who offered an important contribution to society.  In the same way, the extremely long periods of reign of the early kings may represent how incredibly important they were perceived as being in the eyes of the people. This doesn’t explain, however, why the periods of tenure later switched to realistic time periods. Related to this perspective is the belief that although the early kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicised. Finally, some scholars have sought to explain the figures through a mathematical investigation and interpretation (e.g. Harrison, 1993). Relation to Genesis Some scholars (e.g. Wood, 2003) have drawn attention to the fact that there are remarkable similarities between the Sumerian King List and accounts in Genesis.  For example, Genesis tells the story of ‘the great flood’ and Noah’s efforts to save all the species of animals on Earth from destruction.  Likewise, in the Sumerian King List, there is discussion of a great deluge: “the flood swept over the earth.” The Sumerian King List provides a list of eight kings (some versions have 10) who reigned for long periods of time before the flood, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200 years.  This is similar to Genesis 5, where the generations from Creation to the Flood are recorded. Interestingly, between Adam and Noah there are eight generations, just as there are eight kings between the beginning of kingship and the flood in the Sumerian King List. After the flood, the King List records kings who ruled for much shorter periods of time. Thus, the Sumerian King List not only documents a great flood early in man’s history, but it also reflects the same pattern of decreasing longevity as found in the Bible – men had extremely long life spans before the flood and much shorter life spans following the flood (Wood, 2003). The Sumerian King List truly is a perplexing mystery. Why would the Sumerians combine mythical rulers with actual historical rulers in one document? Why are there so many similarities with Genesis? Why were ancient kings described as ruling for thousands of years? These are just some of the questions that still remain unanswered after more than a century of research. By April Holloway References The Sumerian King List – University of Oxford Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Sumerian King List – by Bryant G. Wood The Sumerian king list: translation – The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature The Sumerian King List – by L.C. Geerts Reinvestigating the Antediluvian Sumerian King List – by R. K. Harrison The Sumerian King List – by Thorkild Jacobsen (The Oriental Institute of the University of California)               Section:  Artifacts Ancient Writings Myths & Legends Asia Tags:  Sumer Sumerian Sumerian King’s List mythical historical reign rulers Genesis Mesopotamia iraq Read the Comments(293 Comments) Sponsored Content Doctors Amazed: New Lung… AirPhysio Plus size black short sleeve… yoursclothinguk The Dating Site for… EliteSingles Sponsored 1/5 How the CLOUD Act may affect your data… IONOS cloud Read More [Pics] Royal Family Confirms Unfortunate… xfreehub Diabetics: Here’s How to Lower Blood Sugar (It’s… Diabetes Freedom [Pics] Feral Kid from Mad Max 2… Habittribe [Gallery] Airline Refuses To Let… Trendscatchers At 75, Tom Selleck And His… Worldemand Quiz: 9 Out Of 10 People Can’t Name These Actors Quizscape [Gallery] Why You Should Never Buy Meat From Aldi https://www.wanderoam.com/ Experts Ranked The Best US… Cleverst Bonmarche Firm Control… BON MARCHE [Gallery] Grace Kelly’s… The Fashion Ball [Pics] The Most Beautiful Dress Kate Middleton… Interesticle Your IQ Is 142 If You Get 15/20 On This General… TooCool2BeTrue APRIL April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan. Joanna… Read More RELATED ARTICLES ON ANCIENT-ORIGINS 3 MAY, 2021 – 22:09 WILLEM MCLOUD Sumerian Etana Translated As Biblical Enoch The Biblical Enoch corresponds to a remarkable degree with the figure of Etana in Sumerian tradition. It seems reasonable to assume that they belong to the same original tradition handed down in the… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT SUMERIAN ETANA TRANSLATED AS BIBLICAL ENOCH 1 MARCH, 2021 – 13:58 NATHAN FALDE Is Jiroft Site in Iran a True Cradle of Civilization? Archaeologists are preparing to launch the third major excavation of an important site on the Jiroft plain , in the Halil River valley of southeastern Iran . The Konar Sandal remains were exposed… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT IS JIROFT SITE IN IRAN A TRUE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION? 14 JANUARY, 2021 – 23:08 SARAH P YOUNG Ancient Mesopotamia and the Rise of Civilization In ancient times, Mesopotamia, meaning ‘land between two rivers’, was a vast region that lay between the Tigris and Euphrates river systems, and it is where civilization emerged over 7,000 years ago… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA AND THE RISE OF CIVILIZATION 13 JANUARY, 2021 – 19:46 WILLEM MCLOUD Mighty Gilgamesh: Archetype Of The Nephilim Gilgamesh is one of the greatest heroes of the ancient Middle Eastern world. The epic named after him has become one of the greatest literary works of all ages. There is, however, one aspect of… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT MIGHTY GILGAMESH: ARCHETYPE OF THE NEPHILIM 8 MAY, 2020 – 18:45 BRYAN HILL The Rise and Fall of Sumer and Akkad The Sumerians were the first known people to settle in Mesopotamia over 7,000 years ago. Located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern day Iraq),… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT THE RISE AND FALL OF SUMER AND AKKAD 14 JULY, 2019 – 01:53 CALEB STROM ‘First Kings’ Myths From Around the World: How Do They Compare? Monarchs have always played a very important role in how their subjects form their cultural identity. Egypt, China, and the Sumerian city-states are examples of some of the oldest monarchies. The… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ‘FIRST KINGS’ MYTHS FROM AROUND THE WORLD: HOW DO THEY COMPARE? MOST READ TODAY The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory The Mysterious Disappearance of the Thomas Hume and its Dramatic Rediscovery Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! 7 Amazing Glimpses into the Ancient Lives of Children King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Eight Surprising Things You Should Know About the Celts Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More     Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Sign Up for Premium Ads-FREE Content   Sponsored Stories Thousands Being Compensated To Miners For Mis-Sold Pension Transfers Get Claims Advice (claims management company) Stop overpaying on your energy bills. Search Energy Price Comparison Sites Yahoo! Search (Forbes) [Pics] Always Place A Bag On Your Car Mirror When Traveling Alone, Here’s Why Beachraider Recommended by   VIRAL ARTICLES Legends(active tab) Technology Ancient Places Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo Plus size black butterfly print sleeveless top 30-32 Update your casual collection with this new-in top Made from a soft woven fabric it features a butterfly print with a scoop neckline and sleeveless design Partner with jeans and sandals for the per… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Ancient Origins has been quoted by: TOP NEW STORIES Dover Castle: The Key to England at the Gateway to Europe Dover Castle has been dubbed the “Key to England” due to its location at the frontline of defense. Dover has played an important role in Britain’s history, both as a trading port and as the gateway… Archaeologists Uncover Preserved Ancient Pottery Workshop in Egypt Italian Researchers CT Scan Egyptian Priest Mummy The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Rare “Divine” Ancient Fire Temple Found in Iran Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! MYTHS & LEGENDS Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo HUMAN ORIGINS King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Have King Solomon’s Mines really been discovered? Yes, indeed. In fact, they have been known about for centuries, and modern archaeological work on them started way back in the early 19th century… Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend Is There Scientific Evidence for the Exodus? Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Ancient Treasures – Part II Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet In Sivershchina, close to the village of Mizyn in Ukraine is one of the oldest and most unique settlements of humans – and it was discovered in a parking lot. The now well-known archaeological site, known plainly as the Mizyn parking lot, dates back 18-20 thousand years. Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? Medical Mystery of Usermontu: Why the Discovery of 2,600-Year-Old Knee Screw Left Experts Dumbfounded Philip’s Fountain: The Oldest Still-In-Use Hydraulic Work in the World Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! ANCIENT PLACES The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory In the center of America’s Four Corners Region, Chaco Canyon is an arid, desolate place, sprinkled with the occasional, lonely juniper tree, cactus, or sage bush. Hundreds of mysterious, ancient structures haunt this canyon and the entire region, meticulously aligned along the paths of the Sun, Moon, and constellation Orion. Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Remembering the Future: How Ancient Maya Agronomists Changed the Modern World Fakes and Controversy on the River Clyde: The Case of Dumbuck Crannog Craco: The Abandoned Medieval Ghost Town of Italy OPINION Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? A central concept in the novel The Sphinx Scrolls is whether a mummification technology has ever existed that could preserve someone for long periods and retain the potential to bring them back to life. Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? The Underwater City of Cuba: A New Theory on its Origins – Part I Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Mount Shasta: Mystery Mountain and Sacred Destination Atlantis: Examining the Legendary Tale of Plato OUR MISSION At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exist countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings.  ANCIENT IMAGE GALLERIES Ancient Origins © 2013 – 2021 Disclaimer – Terms of Publication – Privacy Policy & Cookies – Advertising Policy – Submissions – We Give Back – Contact us A project of Stella Novus – Development and Customization by Novus Web Solutions Skip to main content ABOUT LOGIN REGISTER LINKS MEDIA EVENTS FORUMS CONTACT MEMBERSHIP PREMIUM APP TOURS ANCESTRY DNA FREE EBOOKS MAGAZINE Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More All   NEWS HUMAN ORIGINS HISTORY ARTIFACTS MYTHS PLACES UNEXPLAINED OPINION PREMIUM SHOP General History & Archaeology Science & Space Evolution & Human Origins Mysterious Phenomena Home / News UPDATED 30 JANUARY, 2014 – 07:07 APRILHOLLOWAY The Sumerian King List still puzzles historians after more than a century of research READ LATER  PRINT Out of the many incredible artefacts that have been recovered from sites in Iraq where flourishing Sumerian cities once stood, few have been more intriguing than the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer (ancient southern Iraq) from Sumerian and neighbouring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of “official” kingship. What makes this artefact so unique is the fact that the list blends apparently mythical pre-dynastic rulers with historical rulers who are known to have existed.  The first fragment of this rare and unique text, a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet, was found in the early 1900s by German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht at the site of ancient Nippur and published in 1906.  Since Hilprecht’s discovery, at least 18 other exemplars of the king’s list have been found, most of them dating from the second half of the Isin dynasty (c. 2017-1794 BCE.).  No two of these documents are identical. However, there is enough common material in all versions of the list to make it clear that they are derived from a single, “ideal” account of Sumerian history. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Among all the examples of the Sumerian King List, the Weld-Blundell prism in the Ashmolean Museum cuneiform collection in Oxford represents the most extensive version as well as the most complete copy of the King List. The 8-inch-high prism contains four sides with two columns on each side. It is believed that it originally had a wooden spindle going through its centre so that it could be rotated and read on all four sides. It lists rulers from the antediluvian (“before the flood”) dynasties to the fourteenth ruler of the Isin dynasty (ca. 1763–1753 BC). The list is of immense value because it reflects very old traditions while at the same time providing an important chronological framework relating to the different periods of kingship in Sumeria, and even demonstrates remarkable parallels to accounts in Genesis. The ancient civilisation of Sumer Sumer (sometimes called Sumeria), is the site of the earliest known civilization, located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More By the 3 rd millennium BC, Sumer was the site of at least twelve separate city states: Kish, Erech, Ur,Sippar, Akshak, Larak, Nippur, Adab, Umma, Lagash, Bad-tibira, and  Larsa. Each of these states comprised a walled city and its surrounding villages and land, and each worshiped its own deity, whose temple was the central structure of the city. Political power originally belonged to the citizens, but, as rivalry between the various city-states increased, each adopted the institution of  kingship.  The Sumerian King List , records that eight kings reigned before a great flood. After the Flood, various city-states and their dynasties of kings temporarily gained power over the others.  Sumer’s mythical past The Sumerian King List begins with the very origin of kingship, which is seen as a divine institution: “the kingship had descended from heaven”.  The rulers in the earliest dynasties are represented as reigning fantastically long periods: After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years. Some of the rulers mentioned in the early list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda and Gilgamesh, are mythical or legendary figures whose heroic feats are subjects of a series of Sumerian and Babylonian narrative compositions. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More The early list names eight kings with a total of 241,200 years from the time when kingship “descended from heaven” to the time when “the Flood” swept over the land and once more “the kingship was lowered from heaven” after the Flood. Interpretation of long reigns The amazingly long tenure of the early kings has provoked many attempts at interpretation. At one extreme is the complete dismissal of the astronomically large figures as “completely artificial” and the view that they are unworthy of serious consideration.  At the other extreme, is the belief that the numbers have a basis in reality and that the early kings were indeed gods who were capable of living much longer than humans. In between the two extremes is the hypothesis that the figures represent relative power, triumph or importance.  For example, in ancient Egypt, the phrase “he died aged 110” referred to someone who lived life to the full and who offered an important contribution to society.  In the same way, the extremely long periods of reign of the early kings may represent how incredibly important they were perceived as being in the eyes of the people. This doesn’t explain, however, why the periods of tenure later switched to realistic time periods. Related to this perspective is the belief that although the early kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicised. Finally, some scholars have sought to explain the figures through a mathematical investigation and interpretation (e.g. Harrison, 1993). Relation to Genesis Some scholars (e.g. Wood, 2003) have drawn attention to the fact that there are remarkable similarities between the Sumerian King List and accounts in Genesis.  For example, Genesis tells the story of ‘the great flood’ and Noah’s efforts to save all the species of animals on Earth from destruction.  Likewise, in the Sumerian King List, there is discussion of a great deluge: “the flood swept over the earth.” The Sumerian King List provides a list of eight kings (some versions have 10) who reigned for long periods of time before the flood, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200 years.  This is similar to Genesis 5, where the generations from Creation to the Flood are recorded. Interestingly, between Adam and Noah there are eight generations, just as there are eight kings between the beginning of kingship and the flood in the Sumerian King List. After the flood, the King List records kings who ruled for much shorter periods of time. Thus, the Sumerian King List not only documents a great flood early in man’s history, but it also reflects the same pattern of decreasing longevity as found in the Bible – men had extremely long life spans before the flood and much shorter life spans following the flood (Wood, 2003). The Sumerian King List truly is a perplexing mystery. Why would the Sumerians combine mythical rulers with actual historical rulers in one document? Why are there so many similarities with Genesis? Why were ancient kings described as ruling for thousands of years? These are just some of the questions that still remain unanswered after more than a century of research. By April Holloway References The Sumerian King List – University of Oxford Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Sumerian King List – by Bryant G. Wood The Sumerian king list: translation – The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature The Sumerian King List – by L.C. Geerts Reinvestigating the Antediluvian Sumerian King List – by R. K. Harrison The Sumerian King List – by Thorkild Jacobsen (The Oriental Institute of the University of California)               Section:  Artifacts Ancient Writings Myths & Legends Asia Tags:  Sumer Sumerian Sumerian King’s List mythical historical reign rulers Genesis Mesopotamia iraq Read the Comments(293 Comments) Sponsored Content Doctors Amazed: New Lung… AirPhysio Plus size black short sleeve… yoursclothinguk The Dating Site for… EliteSingles Sponsored 1/5 How the CLOUD Act may affect your data… IONOS cloud Read More [Pics] Royal Family Confirms Unfortunate… xfreehub Diabetics: Here’s How to Lower Blood Sugar (It’s… Diabetes Freedom [Pics] Feral Kid from Mad Max 2… Habittribe [Gallery] Airline Refuses To Let… Trendscatchers At 75, Tom Selleck And His… Worldemand Quiz: 9 Out Of 10 People Can’t Name These Actors Quizscape [Gallery] Why You Should Never Buy Meat From Aldi https://www.wanderoam.com/ Experts Ranked The Best US… Cleverst Bonmarche Firm Control… BON MARCHE [Gallery] Grace Kelly’s… The Fashion Ball [Pics] The Most Beautiful Dress Kate Middleton… Interesticle Your IQ Is 142 If You Get 15/20 On This General… TooCool2BeTrue APRIL April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan. Joanna… Read More RELATED ARTICLES ON ANCIENT-ORIGINS 3 MAY, 2021 – 22:09 WILLEM MCLOUD Sumerian Etana Translated As Biblical Enoch The Biblical Enoch corresponds to a remarkable degree with the figure of Etana in Sumerian tradition. It seems reasonable to assume that they belong to the same original tradition handed down in the… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT SUMERIAN ETANA TRANSLATED AS BIBLICAL ENOCH 1 MARCH, 2021 – 13:58 NATHAN FALDE Is Jiroft Site in Iran a True Cradle of Civilization? Archaeologists are preparing to launch the third major excavation of an important site on the Jiroft plain , in the Halil River valley of southeastern Iran . The Konar Sandal remains were exposed… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT IS JIROFT SITE IN IRAN A TRUE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION? 14 JANUARY, 2021 – 23:08 SARAH P YOUNG Ancient Mesopotamia and the Rise of Civilization In ancient times, Mesopotamia, meaning ‘land between two rivers’, was a vast region that lay between the Tigris and Euphrates river systems, and it is where civilization emerged over 7,000 years ago… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA AND THE RISE OF CIVILIZATION 13 JANUARY, 2021 – 19:46 WILLEM MCLOUD Mighty Gilgamesh: Archetype Of The Nephilim Gilgamesh is one of the greatest heroes of the ancient Middle Eastern world. The epic named after him has become one of the greatest literary works of all ages. There is, however, one aspect of… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT MIGHTY GILGAMESH: ARCHETYPE OF THE NEPHILIM 8 MAY, 2020 – 18:45 BRYAN HILL The Rise and Fall of Sumer and Akkad The Sumerians were the first known people to settle in Mesopotamia over 7,000 years ago. Located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern day Iraq),… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT THE RISE AND FALL OF SUMER AND AKKAD 14 JULY, 2019 – 01:53 CALEB STROM ‘First Kings’ Myths From Around the World: How Do They Compare? Monarchs have always played a very important role in how their subjects form their cultural identity. Egypt, China, and the Sumerian city-states are examples of some of the oldest monarchies. The… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ‘FIRST KINGS’ MYTHS FROM AROUND THE WORLD: HOW DO THEY COMPARE? MOST READ TODAY The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory The Mysterious Disappearance of the Thomas Hume and its Dramatic Rediscovery Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! 7 Amazing Glimpses into the Ancient Lives of Children King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Eight Surprising Things You Should Know About the Celts Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More     Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Sign Up for Premium Ads-FREE Content   Sponsored Stories Thousands Being Compensated To Miners For Mis-Sold Pension Transfers Get Claims Advice (claims management company) Stop overpaying on your energy bills. Search Energy Price Comparison Sites Yahoo! Search (Forbes) [Pics] Always Place A Bag On Your Car Mirror When Traveling Alone, Here’s Why Beachraider Recommended by   VIRAL ARTICLES Legends(active tab) Technology Ancient Places Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo Plus size black butterfly print sleeveless top 30-32 Update your casual collection with this new-in top Made from a soft woven fabric it features a butterfly print with a scoop neckline and sleeveless design Partner with jeans and sandals for the per… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Ancient Origins has been quoted by: TOP NEW STORIES Dover Castle: The Key to England at the Gateway to Europe Dover Castle has been dubbed the “Key to England” due to its location at the frontline of defense. Dover has played an important role in Britain’s history, both as a trading port and as the gateway… Archaeologists Uncover Preserved Ancient Pottery Workshop in Egypt Italian Researchers CT Scan Egyptian Priest Mummy The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Rare “Divine” Ancient Fire Temple Found in Iran Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! MYTHS & LEGENDS Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo HUMAN ORIGINS King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Have King Solomon’s Mines really been discovered? Yes, indeed. In fact, they have been known about for centuries, and modern archaeological work on them started way back in the early 19th century… Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend Is There Scientific Evidence for the Exodus? Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Ancient Treasures – Part II Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet In Sivershchina, close to the village of Mizyn in Ukraine is one of the oldest and most unique settlements of humans – and it was discovered in a parking lot. The now well-known archaeological site, known plainly as the Mizyn parking lot, dates back 18-20 thousand years. Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? Medical Mystery of Usermontu: Why the Discovery of 2,600-Year-Old Knee Screw Left Experts Dumbfounded Philip’s Fountain: The Oldest Still-In-Use Hydraulic Work in the World Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! ANCIENT PLACES The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory In the center of America’s Four Corners Region, Chaco Canyon is an arid, desolate place, sprinkled with the occasional, lonely juniper tree, cactus, or sage bush. Hundreds of mysterious, ancient structures haunt this canyon and the entire region, meticulously aligned along the paths of the Sun, Moon, and constellation Orion. Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Remembering the Future: How Ancient Maya Agronomists Changed the Modern World Fakes and Controversy on the River Clyde: The Case of Dumbuck Crannog Craco: The Abandoned Medieval Ghost Town of Italy OPINION Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? A central concept in the novel The Sphinx Scrolls is whether a mummification technology has ever existed that could preserve someone for long periods and retain the potential to bring them back to life. Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? The Underwater City of Cuba: A New Theory on its Origins – Part I Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Mount Shasta: Mystery Mountain and Sacred Destination Atlantis: Examining the Legendary Tale of Plato OUR MISSION At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exist countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings.  ANCIENT IMAGE GALLERIES Ancient Origins © 2013 – 2021 Disclaimer – Terms of Publication – Privacy Policy & Cookies – Advertising Policy – Submissions – We Give Back – Contact us A project of Stella Novus – Development and Customization by Novus Web Solutions ShareThis Copy and Paste

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Skip to main content ABOUT LOGIN REGISTER LINKS MEDIA EVENTS FORUMS CONTACT MEMBERSHIP PREMIUM APP TOURS ANCESTRY DNA FREE EBOOKS MAGAZINE Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More All   NEWS HUMAN ORIGINS HISTORY ARTIFACTS MYTHS PLACES UNEXPLAINED OPINION PREMIUM SHOP General History & Archaeology Science & Space Evolution & Human Origins Mysterious Phenomena Home / News UPDATED 30 JANUARY, 2014 – 07:07 APRILHOLLOWAY The Sumerian King List still puzzles historians after more than a century of research READ LATER  PRINT Out of the many incredible artefacts that have been recovered from sites in Iraq where flourishing Sumerian cities once stood, few have been more intriguing than the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer (ancient southern Iraq) from Sumerian and neighbouring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of “official” kingship. What makes this artefact so unique is the fact that the list blends apparently mythical pre-dynastic rulers with historical rulers who are known to have existed.  The first fragment of this rare and unique text, a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet, was found in the early 1900s by German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht at the site of ancient Nippur and published in 1906.  Since Hilprecht’s discovery, at least 18 other exemplars of the king’s list have been found, most of them dating from the second half of the Isin dynasty (c. 2017-1794 BCE.).  No two of these documents are identical. However, there is enough common material in all versions of the list to make it clear that they are derived from a single, “ideal” account of Sumerian history. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Among all the examples of the Sumerian King List, the Weld-Blundell prism in the Ashmolean Museum cuneiform collection in Oxford represents the most extensive version as well as the most complete copy of the King List. The 8-inch-high prism contains four sides with two columns on each side. It is believed that it originally had a wooden spindle going through its centre so that it could be rotated and read on all four sides. It lists rulers from the antediluvian (“before the flood”) dynasties to the fourteenth ruler of the Isin dynasty (ca. 1763–1753 BC). The list is of immense value because it reflects very old traditions while at the same time providing an important chronological framework relating to the different periods of kingship in Sumeria, and even demonstrates remarkable parallels to accounts in Genesis. The ancient civilisation of Sumer Sumer (sometimes called Sumeria), is the site of the earliest known civilization, located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More By the 3 rd millennium BC, Sumer was the site of at least twelve separate city states: Kish, Erech, Ur,Sippar, Akshak, Larak, Nippur, Adab, Umma, Lagash, Bad-tibira, and  Larsa. Each of these states comprised a walled city and its surrounding villages and land, and each worshiped its own deity, whose temple was the central structure of the city. Political power originally belonged to the citizens, but, as rivalry between the various city-states increased, each adopted the institution of  kingship.  The Sumerian King List , records that eight kings reigned before a great flood. After the Flood, various city-states and their dynasties of kings temporarily gained power over the others.  Sumer’s mythical past The Sumerian King List begins with the very origin of kingship, which is seen as a divine institution: “the kingship had descended from heaven”.  The rulers in the earliest dynasties are represented as reigning fantastically long periods: After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years. Some of the rulers mentioned in the early list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda and Gilgamesh, are mythical or legendary figures whose heroic feats are subjects of a series of Sumerian and Babylonian narrative compositions. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More The early list names eight kings with a total of 241,200 years from the time when kingship “descended from heaven” to the time when “the Flood” swept over the land and once more “the kingship was lowered from heaven” after the Flood. Interpretation of long reigns The amazingly long tenure of the early kings has provoked many attempts at interpretation. At one extreme is the complete dismissal of the astronomically large figures as “completely artificial” and the view that they are unworthy of serious consideration.  At the other extreme, is the belief that the numbers have a basis in reality and that the early kings were indeed gods who were capable of living much longer than humans. In between the two extremes is the hypothesis that the figures represent relative power, triumph or importance.  For example, in ancient Egypt, the phrase “he died aged 110” referred to someone who lived life to the full and who offered an important contribution to society.  In the same way, the extremely long periods of reign of the early kings may represent how incredibly important they were perceived as being in the eyes of the people. This doesn’t explain, however, why the periods of tenure later switched to realistic time periods. Related to this perspective is the belief that although the early kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicised. Finally, some scholars have sought to explain the figures through a mathematical investigation and interpretation (e.g. Harrison, 1993). Relation to Genesis Some scholars (e.g. Wood, 2003) have drawn attention to the fact that there are remarkable similarities between the Sumerian King List and accounts in Genesis.  For example, Genesis tells the story of ‘the great flood’ and Noah’s efforts to save all the species of animals on Earth from destruction.  Likewise, in the Sumerian King List, there is discussion of a great deluge: “the flood swept over the earth.” The Sumerian King List provides a list of eight kings (some versions have 10) who reigned for long periods of time before the flood, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200 years.  This is similar to Genesis 5, where the generations from Creation to the Flood are recorded. Interestingly, between Adam and Noah there are eight generations, just as there are eight kings between the beginning of kingship and the flood in the Sumerian King List. After the flood, the King List records kings who ruled for much shorter periods of time. Thus, the Sumerian King List not only documents a great flood early in man’s history, but it also reflects the same pattern of decreasing longevity as found in the Bible – men had extremely long life spans before the flood and much shorter life spans following the flood (Wood, 2003). The Sumerian King List truly is a perplexing mystery. Why would the Sumerians combine mythical rulers with actual historical rulers in one document? Why are there so many similarities with Genesis? Why were ancient kings described as ruling for thousands of years? These are just some of the questions that still remain unanswered after more than a century of research. By April Holloway References The Sumerian King List – University of Oxford Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Sumerian King List – by Bryant G. Wood The Sumerian king list: translation – The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature The Sumerian King List – by L.C. Geerts Reinvestigating the Antediluvian Sumerian King List – by R. K. Harrison The Sumerian King List – by Thorkild Jacobsen (The Oriental Institute of the University of California)               Section:  Artifacts Ancient Writings Myths & Legends Asia Tags:  Sumer Sumerian Sumerian King’s List mythical historical reign rulers Genesis Mesopotamia iraq Read the Comments(293 Comments) Sponsored Content Doctors Amazed: New Lung… AirPhysio Plus size black short sleeve… yoursclothinguk The Dating Site for… EliteSingles Sponsored 3/5 Fashion in Sizes 14 – 40 Yours Clothing Read More [Pics] Royal Family Confirms Unfortunate… xfreehub Diabetics: Here’s How to Lower Blood Sugar (It’s… Diabetes Freedom [Pics] Feral Kid from Mad Max 2… Habittribe [Gallery] Airline Refuses To Let… Trendscatchers At 75, Tom Selleck And His… Worldemand Quiz: 9 Out Of 10 People Can’t Name These Actors Quizscape [Gallery] Why You Should Never Buy Meat From Aldi https://www.wanderoam.com/ Experts Ranked The Best US… Cleverst Bonmarche Firm Control… BON MARCHE [Gallery] Grace Kelly’s… The Fashion Ball [Pics] The Most Beautiful Dress Kate Middleton… Interesticle Your IQ Is 142 If You Get 15/20 On This General… TooCool2BeTrue APRIL April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan. Joanna… Read More RELATED ARTICLES ON ANCIENT-ORIGINS 3 MAY, 2021 – 22:09 WILLEM MCLOUD Sumerian Etana Translated As Biblical Enoch The Biblical Enoch corresponds to a remarkable degree with the figure of Etana in Sumerian tradition. It seems reasonable to assume that they belong to the same original tradition handed down in the… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT SUMERIAN ETANA TRANSLATED AS BIBLICAL ENOCH 1 MARCH, 2021 – 13:58 NATHAN FALDE Is Jiroft Site in Iran a True Cradle of Civilization? Archaeologists are preparing to launch the third major excavation of an important site on the Jiroft plain , in the Halil River valley of southeastern Iran . The Konar Sandal remains were exposed… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT IS JIROFT SITE IN IRAN A TRUE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION? 14 JANUARY, 2021 – 23:08 SARAH P YOUNG Ancient Mesopotamia and the Rise of Civilization In ancient times, Mesopotamia, meaning ‘land between two rivers’, was a vast region that lay between the Tigris and Euphrates river systems, and it is where civilization emerged over 7,000 years ago… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA AND THE RISE OF CIVILIZATION 13 JANUARY, 2021 – 19:46 WILLEM MCLOUD Mighty Gilgamesh: Archetype Of The Nephilim Gilgamesh is one of the greatest heroes of the ancient Middle Eastern world. The epic named after him has become one of the greatest literary works of all ages. There is, however, one aspect of… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT MIGHTY GILGAMESH: ARCHETYPE OF THE NEPHILIM 8 MAY, 2020 – 18:45 BRYAN HILL The Rise and Fall of Sumer and Akkad The Sumerians were the first known people to settle in Mesopotamia over 7,000 years ago. Located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern day Iraq),… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT THE RISE AND FALL OF SUMER AND AKKAD 14 JULY, 2019 – 01:53 CALEB STROM ‘First Kings’ Myths From Around the World: How Do They Compare? Monarchs have always played a very important role in how their subjects form their cultural identity. Egypt, China, and the Sumerian city-states are examples of some of the oldest monarchies. The… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ‘FIRST KINGS’ MYTHS FROM AROUND THE WORLD: HOW DO THEY COMPARE? MOST READ TODAY The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory The Mysterious Disappearance of the Thomas Hume and its Dramatic Rediscovery Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! 7 Amazing Glimpses into the Ancient Lives of Children King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Eight Surprising Things You Should Know About the Celts Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More     Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Sign Up for Premium Ads-FREE Content   Sponsored Stories Thousands Being Compensated To Miners For Mis-Sold Pension Transfers Get Claims Advice (claims management company) Stop overpaying on your energy bills. Search Energy Price Comparison Sites Yahoo! Search (Forbes) [Pics] Always Place A Bag On Your Car Mirror When Traveling Alone, Here’s Why Beachraider Recommended by   VIRAL ARTICLES Legends(active tab) Technology Ancient Places Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo Plus size black butterfly print sleeveless top 30-32 Update your casual collection with this new-in top Made from a soft woven fabric it features a butterfly print with a scoop neckline and sleeveless design Partner with jeans and sandals for the per… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Ancient Origins has been quoted by: TOP NEW STORIES Dover Castle: The Key to England at the Gateway to Europe Dover Castle has been dubbed the “Key to England” due to its location at the frontline of defense. Dover has played an important role in Britain’s history, both as a trading port and as the gateway… Archaeologists Uncover Preserved Ancient Pottery Workshop in Egypt Italian Researchers CT Scan Egyptian Priest Mummy The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Rare “Divine” Ancient Fire Temple Found in Iran Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! MYTHS & LEGENDS Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo HUMAN ORIGINS King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Have King Solomon’s Mines really been discovered? Yes, indeed. In fact, they have been known about for centuries, and modern archaeological work on them started way back in the early 19th century… Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend Is There Scientific Evidence for the Exodus? Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Ancient Treasures – Part II Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet In Sivershchina, close to the village of Mizyn in Ukraine is one of the oldest and most unique settlements of humans – and it was discovered in a parking lot. The now well-known archaeological site, known plainly as the Mizyn parking lot, dates back 18-20 thousand years. Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? Medical Mystery of Usermontu: Why the Discovery of 2,600-Year-Old Knee Screw Left Experts Dumbfounded Philip’s Fountain: The Oldest Still-In-Use Hydraulic Work in the World Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! ANCIENT PLACES The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory In the center of America’s Four Corners Region, Chaco Canyon is an arid, desolate place, sprinkled with the occasional, lonely juniper tree, cactus, or sage bush. Hundreds of mysterious, ancient structures haunt this canyon and the entire region, meticulously aligned along the paths of the Sun, Moon, and constellation Orion. Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Remembering the Future: How Ancient Maya Agronomists Changed the Modern World Fakes and Controversy on the River Clyde: The Case of Dumbuck Crannog Craco: The Abandoned Medieval Ghost Town of Italy OPINION Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? A central concept in the novel The Sphinx Scrolls is whether a mummification technology has ever existed that could preserve someone for long periods and retain the potential to bring them back to life. Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? The Underwater City of Cuba: A New Theory on its Origins – Part I Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Mount Shasta: Mystery Mountain and Sacred Destination Atlantis: Examining the Legendary Tale of Plato OUR MISSION At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exist countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings.  ANCIENT IMAGE GALLERIES Ancient Origins © 2013 – 2021 Disclaimer – Terms of Publication – Privacy Policy & Cookies – Advertising Policy – Submissions – We Give Back – Contact us A project of Stella Novus – Development and Customization by Novus Web Solutions Skip to main content ABOUT LOGIN REGISTER LINKS MEDIA EVENTS FORUMS CONTACT MEMBERSHIP PREMIUM APP TOURS ANCESTRY DNA FREE EBOOKS MAGAZINE Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More All   NEWS HUMAN ORIGINS HISTORY ARTIFACTS MYTHS PLACES UNEXPLAINED OPINION PREMIUM SHOP General History & Archaeology Science & Space Evolution & Human Origins Mysterious Phenomena Home / News UPDATED 30 JANUARY, 2014 – 07:07 APRILHOLLOWAY The Sumerian King List still puzzles historians after more than a century of research READ LATER  PRINT Out of the many incredible artefacts that have been recovered from sites in Iraq where flourishing Sumerian cities once stood, few have been more intriguing than the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer (ancient southern Iraq) from Sumerian and neighbouring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of “official” kingship. What makes this artefact so unique is the fact that the list blends apparently mythical pre-dynastic rulers with historical rulers who are known to have existed.  The first fragment of this rare and unique text, a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet, was found in the early 1900s by German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht at the site of ancient Nippur and published in 1906.  Since Hilprecht’s discovery, at least 18 other exemplars of the king’s list have been found, most of them dating from the second half of the Isin dynasty (c. 2017-1794 BCE.).  No two of these documents are identical. However, there is enough common material in all versions of the list to make it clear that they are derived from a single, “ideal” account of Sumerian history. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Among all the examples of the Sumerian King List, the Weld-Blundell prism in the Ashmolean Museum cuneiform collection in Oxford represents the most extensive version as well as the most complete copy of the King List. The 8-inch-high prism contains four sides with two columns on each side. It is believed that it originally had a wooden spindle going through its centre so that it could be rotated and read on all four sides. It lists rulers from the antediluvian (“before the flood”) dynasties to the fourteenth ruler of the Isin dynasty (ca. 1763–1753 BC). The list is of immense value because it reflects very old traditions while at the same time providing an important chronological framework relating to the different periods of kingship in Sumeria, and even demonstrates remarkable parallels to accounts in Genesis. The ancient civilisation of Sumer Sumer (sometimes called Sumeria), is the site of the earliest known civilization, located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More By the 3 rd millennium BC, Sumer was the site of at least twelve separate city states: Kish, Erech, Ur,Sippar, Akshak, Larak, Nippur, Adab, Umma, Lagash, Bad-tibira, and  Larsa. Each of these states comprised a walled city and its surrounding villages and land, and each worshiped its own deity, whose temple was the central structure of the city. Political power originally belonged to the citizens, but, as rivalry between the various city-states increased, each adopted the institution of  kingship.  The Sumerian King List , records that eight kings reigned before a great flood. After the Flood, various city-states and their dynasties of kings temporarily gained power over the others.  Sumer’s mythical past The Sumerian King List begins with the very origin of kingship, which is seen as a divine institution: “the kingship had descended from heaven”.  The rulers in the earliest dynasties are represented as reigning fantastically long periods: After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years. Some of the rulers mentioned in the early list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda and Gilgamesh, are mythical or legendary figures whose heroic feats are subjects of a series of Sumerian and Babylonian narrative compositions. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More The early list names eight kings with a total of 241,200 years from the time when kingship “descended from heaven” to the time when “the Flood” swept over the land and once more “the kingship was lowered from heaven” after the Flood. Interpretation of long reigns The amazingly long tenure of the early kings has provoked many attempts at interpretation. At one extreme is the complete dismissal of the astronomically large figures as “completely artificial” and the view that they are unworthy of serious consideration.  At the other extreme, is the belief that the numbers have a basis in reality and that the early kings were indeed gods who were capable of living much longer than humans. In between the two extremes is the hypothesis that the figures represent relative power, triumph or importance.  For example, in ancient Egypt, the phrase “he died aged 110” referred to someone who lived life to the full and who offered an important contribution to society.  In the same way, the extremely long periods of reign of the early kings may represent how incredibly important they were perceived as being in the eyes of the people. This doesn’t explain, however, why the periods of tenure later switched to realistic time periods. Related to this perspective is the belief that although the early kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicised. Finally, some scholars have sought to explain the figures through a mathematical investigation and interpretation (e.g. Harrison, 1993). Relation to Genesis Some scholars (e.g. Wood, 2003) have drawn attention to the fact that there are remarkable similarities between the Sumerian King List and accounts in Genesis.  For example, Genesis tells the story of ‘the great flood’ and Noah’s efforts to save all the species of animals on Earth from destruction.  Likewise, in the Sumerian King List, there is discussion of a great deluge: “the flood swept over the earth.” The Sumerian King List provides a list of eight kings (some versions have 10) who reigned for long periods of time before the flood, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200 years.  This is similar to Genesis 5, where the generations from Creation to the Flood are recorded. Interestingly, between Adam and Noah there are eight generations, just as there are eight kings between the beginning of kingship and the flood in the Sumerian King List. After the flood, the King List records kings who ruled for much shorter periods of time. Thus, the Sumerian King List not only documents a great flood early in man’s history, but it also reflects the same pattern of decreasing longevity as found in the Bible – men had extremely long life spans before the flood and much shorter life spans following the flood (Wood, 2003). The Sumerian King List truly is a perplexing mystery. Why would the Sumerians combine mythical rulers with actual historical rulers in one document? Why are there so many similarities with Genesis? Why were ancient kings described as ruling for thousands of years? These are just some of the questions that still remain unanswered after more than a century of research. By April Holloway References The Sumerian King List – University of Oxford Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Sumerian King List – by Bryant G. Wood The Sumerian king list: translation – The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature The Sumerian King List – by L.C. Geerts Reinvestigating the Antediluvian Sumerian King List – by R. K. Harrison The Sumerian King List – by Thorkild Jacobsen (The Oriental Institute of the University of California)               Section:  Artifacts Ancient Writings Myths & Legends Asia Tags:  Sumer Sumerian Sumerian King’s List mythical historical reign rulers Genesis Mesopotamia iraq Read the Comments(293 Comments) Sponsored Content Doctors Amazed: New Lung… AirPhysio Plus size black short sleeve… yoursclothinguk The Dating Site for… EliteSingles Sponsored 3/5 Fashion in Sizes 14 – 40 Yours Clothing Read More [Pics] Royal Family Confirms Unfortunate… xfreehub Diabetics: Here’s How to Lower Blood Sugar (It’s… Diabetes Freedom [Pics] Feral Kid from Mad Max 2… Habittribe [Gallery] Airline Refuses To Let… Trendscatchers At 75, Tom Selleck And His… Worldemand Quiz: 9 Out Of 10 People Can’t Name These Actors Quizscape [Gallery] Why You Should Never Buy Meat From Aldi https://www.wanderoam.com/ Experts Ranked The Best US… Cleverst Bonmarche Firm Control… BON MARCHE [Gallery] Grace Kelly’s… The Fashion Ball [Pics] The Most Beautiful Dress Kate Middleton… Interesticle Your IQ Is 142 If You Get 15/20 On This General… TooCool2BeTrue APRIL April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan. Joanna… Read More RELATED ARTICLES ON ANCIENT-ORIGINS 3 MAY, 2021 – 22:09 WILLEM MCLOUD Sumerian Etana Translated As Biblical Enoch The Biblical Enoch corresponds to a remarkable degree with the figure of Etana in Sumerian tradition. It seems reasonable to assume that they belong to the same original tradition handed down in the… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT SUMERIAN ETANA TRANSLATED AS BIBLICAL ENOCH 1 MARCH, 2021 – 13:58 NATHAN FALDE Is Jiroft Site in Iran a True Cradle of Civilization? Archaeologists are preparing to launch the third major excavation of an important site on the Jiroft plain , in the Halil River valley of southeastern Iran . The Konar Sandal remains were exposed… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT IS JIROFT SITE IN IRAN A TRUE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION? 14 JANUARY, 2021 – 23:08 SARAH P YOUNG Ancient Mesopotamia and the Rise of Civilization In ancient times, Mesopotamia, meaning ‘land between two rivers’, was a vast region that lay between the Tigris and Euphrates river systems, and it is where civilization emerged over 7,000 years ago… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA AND THE RISE OF CIVILIZATION 13 JANUARY, 2021 – 19:46 WILLEM MCLOUD Mighty Gilgamesh: Archetype Of The Nephilim Gilgamesh is one of the greatest heroes of the ancient Middle Eastern world. The epic named after him has become one of the greatest literary works of all ages. There is, however, one aspect of… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT MIGHTY GILGAMESH: ARCHETYPE OF THE NEPHILIM 8 MAY, 2020 – 18:45 BRYAN HILL The Rise and Fall of Sumer and Akkad The Sumerians were the first known people to settle in Mesopotamia over 7,000 years ago. Located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern day Iraq),… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT THE RISE AND FALL OF SUMER AND AKKAD 14 JULY, 2019 – 01:53 CALEB STROM ‘First Kings’ Myths From Around the World: How Do They Compare? Monarchs have always played a very important role in how their subjects form their cultural identity. Egypt, China, and the Sumerian city-states are examples of some of the oldest monarchies. The… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ‘FIRST KINGS’ MYTHS FROM AROUND THE WORLD: HOW DO THEY COMPARE? MOST READ TODAY The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory The Mysterious Disappearance of the Thomas Hume and its Dramatic Rediscovery Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! 7 Amazing Glimpses into the Ancient Lives of Children King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Eight Surprising Things You Should Know About the Celts Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More     Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Sign Up for Premium Ads-FREE Content   Sponsored Stories Thousands Being Compensated To Miners For Mis-Sold Pension Transfers Get Claims Advice (claims management company) Stop overpaying on your energy bills. Search Energy Price Comparison Sites Yahoo! Search (Forbes) [Pics] Always Place A Bag On Your Car Mirror When Traveling Alone, Here’s Why Beachraider Recommended by   VIRAL ARTICLES Legends(active tab) Technology Ancient Places Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo Plus size black butterfly print sleeveless top 30-32 Update your casual collection with this new-in top Made from a soft woven fabric it features a butterfly print with a scoop neckline and sleeveless design Partner with jeans and sandals for the per… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Ancient Origins has been quoted by: TOP NEW STORIES Dover Castle: The Key to England at the Gateway to Europe Dover Castle has been dubbed the “Key to England” due to its location at the frontline of defense. Dover has played an important role in Britain’s history, both as a trading port and as the gateway… Archaeologists Uncover Preserved Ancient Pottery Workshop in Egypt Italian Researchers CT Scan Egyptian Priest Mummy The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Rare “Divine” Ancient Fire Temple Found in Iran Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! MYTHS & LEGENDS Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo HUMAN ORIGINS King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Have King Solomon’s Mines really been discovered? Yes, indeed. In fact, they have been known about for centuries, and modern archaeological work on them started way back in the early 19th century… Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend Is There Scientific Evidence for the Exodus? Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Ancient Treasures – Part II Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet In Sivershchina, close to the village of Mizyn in Ukraine is one of the oldest and most unique settlements of humans – and it was discovered in a parking lot. The now well-known archaeological site, known plainly as the Mizyn parking lot, dates back 18-20 thousand years. Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? Medical Mystery of Usermontu: Why the Discovery of 2,600-Year-Old Knee Screw Left Experts Dumbfounded Philip’s Fountain: The Oldest Still-In-Use Hydraulic Work in the World Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! ANCIENT PLACES The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory In the center of America’s Four Corners Region, Chaco Canyon is an arid, desolate place, sprinkled with the occasional, lonely juniper tree, cactus, or sage bush. Hundreds of mysterious, ancient structures haunt this canyon and the entire region, meticulously aligned along the paths of the Sun, Moon, and constellation Orion. Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Remembering the Future: How Ancient Maya Agronomists Changed the Modern World Fakes and Controversy on the River Clyde: The Case of Dumbuck Crannog Craco: The Abandoned Medieval Ghost Town of Italy OPINION Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? A central concept in the novel The Sphinx Scrolls is whether a mummification technology has ever existed that could preserve someone for long periods and retain the potential to bring them back to life. Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? The Underwater City of Cuba: A New Theory on its Origins – Part I Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Mount Shasta: Mystery Mountain and Sacred Destination Atlantis: Examining the Legendary Tale of Plato OUR MISSION At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exist countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings.  ANCIENT IMAGE GALLERIES Ancient Origins © 2013 – 2021 Disclaimer – Terms of Publication – Privacy Policy & Cookies – Advertising Policy – Submissions – We Give Back – Contact us A project of Stella Novus – Development and Customization by Novus Web Solutions Skip to main content ABOUT LOGIN REGISTER LINKS MEDIA EVENTS FORUMS CONTACT MEMBERSHIP PREMIUM APP TOURS ANCESTRY DNA FREE EBOOKS MAGAZINE Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More All   NEWS HUMAN ORIGINS HISTORY ARTIFACTS MYTHS PLACES UNEXPLAINED OPINION PREMIUM SHOP General History & Archaeology Science & Space Evolution & Human Origins Mysterious Phenomena Home / News UPDATED 30 JANUARY, 2014 – 07:07 APRILHOLLOWAY The Sumerian King List still puzzles historians after more than a century of research READ LATER  PRINT Out of the many incredible artefacts that have been recovered from sites in Iraq where flourishing Sumerian cities once stood, few have been more intriguing than the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer (ancient southern Iraq) from Sumerian and neighbouring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of “official” kingship. What makes this artefact so unique is the fact that the list blends apparently mythical pre-dynastic rulers with historical rulers who are known to have existed.  The first fragment of this rare and unique text, a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet, was found in the early 1900s by German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht at the site of ancient Nippur and published in 1906.  Since Hilprecht’s discovery, at least 18 other exemplars of the king’s list have been found, most of them dating from the second half of the Isin dynasty (c. 2017-1794 BCE.).  No two of these documents are identical. However, there is enough common material in all versions of the list to make it clear that they are derived from a single, “ideal” account of Sumerian history. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Among all the examples of the Sumerian King List, the Weld-Blundell prism in the Ashmolean Museum cuneiform collection in Oxford represents the most extensive version as well as the most complete copy of the King List. The 8-inch-high prism contains four sides with two columns on each side. It is believed that it originally had a wooden spindle going through its centre so that it could be rotated and read on all four sides. It lists rulers from the antediluvian (“before the flood”) dynasties to the fourteenth ruler of the Isin dynasty (ca. 1763–1753 BC). The list is of immense value because it reflects very old traditions while at the same time providing an important chronological framework relating to the different periods of kingship in Sumeria, and even demonstrates remarkable parallels to accounts in Genesis. The ancient civilisation of Sumer Sumer (sometimes called Sumeria), is the site of the earliest known civilization, located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More By the 3 rd millennium BC, Sumer was the site of at least twelve separate city states: Kish, Erech, Ur,Sippar, Akshak, Larak, Nippur, Adab, Umma, Lagash, Bad-tibira, and  Larsa. Each of these states comprised a walled city and its surrounding villages and land, and each worshiped its own deity, whose temple was the central structure of the city. Political power originally belonged to the citizens, but, as rivalry between the various city-states increased, each adopted the institution of  kingship.  The Sumerian King List , records that eight kings reigned before a great flood. After the Flood, various city-states and their dynasties of kings temporarily gained power over the others.  Sumer’s mythical past The Sumerian King List begins with the very origin of kingship, which is seen as a divine institution: “the kingship had descended from heaven”.  The rulers in the earliest dynasties are represented as reigning fantastically long periods: After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years. Some of the rulers mentioned in the early list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda and Gilgamesh, are mythical or legendary figures whose heroic feats are subjects of a series of Sumerian and Babylonian narrative compositions. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More The early list names eight kings with a total of 241,200 years from the time when kingship “descended from heaven” to the time when “the Flood” swept over the land and once more “the kingship was lowered from heaven” after the Flood. Interpretation of long reigns The amazingly long tenure of the early kings has provoked many attempts at interpretation. At one extreme is the complete dismissal of the astronomically large figures as “completely artificial” and the view that they are unworthy of serious consideration.  At the other extreme, is the belief that the numbers have a basis in reality and that the early kings were indeed gods who were capable of living much longer than humans. In between the two extremes is the hypothesis that the figures represent relative power, triumph or importance.  For example, in ancient Egypt, the phrase “he died aged 110” referred to someone who lived life to the full and who offered an important contribution to society.  In the same way, the extremely long periods of reign of the early kings may represent how incredibly important they were perceived as being in the eyes of the people. This doesn’t explain, however, why the periods of tenure later switched to realistic time periods. Related to this perspective is the belief that although the early kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicised. Finally, some scholars have sought to explain the figures through a mathematical investigation and interpretation (e.g. Harrison, 1993). Relation to Genesis Some scholars (e.g. Wood, 2003) have drawn attention to the fact that there are remarkable similarities between the Sumerian King List and accounts in Genesis.  For example, Genesis tells the story of ‘the great flood’ and Noah’s efforts to save all the species of animals on Earth from destruction.  Likewise, in the Sumerian King List, there is discussion of a great deluge: “the flood swept over the earth.” The Sumerian King List provides a list of eight kings (some versions have 10) who reigned for long periods of time before the flood, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200 years.  This is similar to Genesis 5, where the generations from Creation to the Flood are recorded. Interestingly, between Adam and Noah there are eight generations, just as there are eight kings between the beginning of kingship and the flood in the Sumerian King List. After the flood, the King List records kings who ruled for much shorter periods of time. Thus, the Sumerian King List not only documents a great flood early in man’s history, but it also reflects the same pattern of decreasing longevity as found in the Bible – men had extremely long life spans before the flood and much shorter life spans following the flood (Wood, 2003). The Sumerian King List truly is a perplexing mystery. Why would the Sumerians combine mythical rulers with actual historical rulers in one document? Why are there so many similarities with Genesis? Why were ancient kings described as ruling for thousands of years? These are just some of the questions that still remain unanswered after more than a century of research. By April Holloway References The Sumerian King List – University of Oxford Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Sumerian King List – by Bryant G. Wood The Sumerian king list: translation – The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature The Sumerian King List – by L.C. Geerts Reinvestigating the Antediluvian Sumerian King List – by R. K. Harrison The Sumerian King List – by Thorkild Jacobsen (The Oriental Institute of the University of California)               Section:  Artifacts Ancient Writings Myths & Legends Asia Tags:  Sumer Sumerian Sumerian King’s List mythical historical reign rulers Genesis Mesopotamia iraq Read the Comments(293 Comments) Sponsored Content Doctors Amazed: New Lung… AirPhysio Plus size black short sleeve… yoursclothinguk The Dating Site for… EliteSingles Sponsored 3/5 Skip Adskip_next Read More [Pics] Royal Family Confirms Unfortunate… xfreehub Diabetics: Here’s How to Lower Blood Sugar (It’s… Diabetes Freedom [Pics] Feral Kid from Mad Max 2… Habittribe [Gallery] Airline Refuses To Let… Trendscatchers At 75, Tom Selleck And His… Worldemand Quiz: 9 Out Of 10 People Can’t Name These Actors Quizscape [Gallery] Why You Should Never Buy Meat From Aldi https://www.wanderoam.com/ Experts Ranked The Best US… Cleverst Bonmarche Firm Control… BON MARCHE [Gallery] Grace Kelly’s… The Fashion Ball [Pics] The Most Beautiful Dress Kate Middleton… Interesticle Your IQ Is 142 If You Get 15/20 On This General… TooCool2BeTrue APRIL April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan. Joanna… Read More RELATED ARTICLES ON ANCIENT-ORIGINS 3 MAY, 2021 – 22:09 WILLEM MCLOUD Sumerian Etana Translated As Biblical Enoch The Biblical Enoch corresponds to a remarkable degree with the figure of Etana in Sumerian tradition. It seems reasonable to assume that they belong to the same original tradition handed down in the… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT SUMERIAN ETANA TRANSLATED AS BIBLICAL ENOCH 1 MARCH, 2021 – 13:58 NATHAN FALDE Is Jiroft Site in Iran a True Cradle of Civilization? Archaeologists are preparing to launch the third major excavation of an important site on the Jiroft plain , in the Halil River valley of southeastern Iran . The Konar Sandal remains were exposed… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT IS JIROFT SITE IN IRAN A TRUE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION? 14 JANUARY, 2021 – 23:08 SARAH P YOUNG Ancient Mesopotamia and the Rise of Civilization In ancient times, Mesopotamia, meaning ‘land between two rivers’, was a vast region that lay between the Tigris and Euphrates river systems, and it is where civilization emerged over 7,000 years ago… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA AND THE RISE OF CIVILIZATION 13 JANUARY, 2021 – 19:46 WILLEM MCLOUD Mighty Gilgamesh: Archetype Of The Nephilim Gilgamesh is one of the greatest heroes of the ancient Middle Eastern world. The epic named after him has become one of the greatest literary works of all ages. There is, however, one aspect of… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT MIGHTY GILGAMESH: ARCHETYPE OF THE NEPHILIM 8 MAY, 2020 – 18:45 BRYAN HILL The Rise and Fall of Sumer and Akkad The Sumerians were the first known people to settle in Mesopotamia over 7,000 years ago. Located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern day Iraq),… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT THE RISE AND FALL OF SUMER AND AKKAD 14 JULY, 2019 – 01:53 CALEB STROM ‘First Kings’ Myths From Around the World: How Do They Compare? Monarchs have always played a very important role in how their subjects form their cultural identity. Egypt, China, and the Sumerian city-states are examples of some of the oldest monarchies. The… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ‘FIRST KINGS’ MYTHS FROM AROUND THE WORLD: HOW DO THEY COMPARE? MOST READ TODAY The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory The Mysterious Disappearance of the Thomas Hume and its Dramatic Rediscovery Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! 7 Amazing Glimpses into the Ancient Lives of Children King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Eight Surprising Things You Should Know About the Celts Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More     Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Sign Up for Premium Ads-FREE Content   Sponsored Stories Thousands Being Compensated To Miners For Mis-Sold Pension Transfers Get Claims Advice (claims management company) Stop overpaying on your energy bills. Search Energy Price Comparison Sites Yahoo! Search (Forbes) [Pics] Always Place A Bag On Your Car Mirror When Traveling Alone, Here’s Why Beachraider Recommended by   VIRAL ARTICLES Legends(active tab) Technology Ancient Places Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo Plus size black butterfly print sleeveless top 30-32 Update your casual collection with this new-in top Made from a soft woven fabric it features a butterfly print with a scoop neckline and sleeveless design Partner with jeans and sandals for the per… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Ancient Origins has been quoted by: TOP NEW STORIES Dover Castle: The Key to England at the Gateway to Europe Dover Castle has been dubbed the “Key to England” due to its location at the frontline of defense. Dover has played an important role in Britain’s history, both as a trading port and as the gateway… Archaeologists Uncover Preserved Ancient Pottery Workshop in Egypt Italian Researchers CT Scan Egyptian Priest Mummy The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Rare “Divine” Ancient Fire Temple Found in Iran Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! MYTHS & LEGENDS Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo HUMAN ORIGINS King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Have King Solomon’s Mines really been discovered? Yes, indeed. In fact, they have been known about for centuries, and modern archaeological work on them started way back in the early 19th century… Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend Is There Scientific Evidence for the Exodus? Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Ancient Treasures – Part II Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet In Sivershchina, close to the village of Mizyn in Ukraine is one of the oldest and most unique settlements of humans – and it was discovered in a parking lot. The now well-known archaeological site, known plainly as the Mizyn parking lot, dates back 18-20 thousand years. Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? Medical Mystery of Usermontu: Why the Discovery of 2,600-Year-Old Knee Screw Left Experts Dumbfounded Philip’s Fountain: The Oldest Still-In-Use Hydraulic Work in the World Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! ANCIENT PLACES The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory In the center of America’s Four Corners Region, Chaco Canyon is an arid, desolate place, sprinkled with the occasional, lonely juniper tree, cactus, or sage bush. Hundreds of mysterious, ancient structures haunt this canyon and the entire region, meticulously aligned along the paths of the Sun, Moon, and constellation Orion. Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Remembering the Future: How Ancient Maya Agronomists Changed the Modern World Fakes and Controversy on the River Clyde: The Case of Dumbuck Crannog Craco: The Abandoned Medieval Ghost Town of Italy OPINION Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? A central concept in the novel The Sphinx Scrolls is whether a mummification technology has ever existed that could preserve someone for long periods and retain the potential to bring them back to life. Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? The Underwater City of Cuba: A New Theory on its Origins – Part I Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Mount Shasta: Mystery Mountain and Sacred Destination Atlantis: Examining the Legendary Tale of Plato OUR MISSION At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exist countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings.  ANCIENT IMAGE GALLERIES Ancient Origins © 2013 – 2021 Disclaimer – Terms of Publication – Privacy Policy & Cookies – Advertising Policy – Submissions – We Give Back – Contact us A project of Stella Novus – Development and Customization by Novus Web Solutions Skip to main content ABOUT LOGIN REGISTER LINKS MEDIA EVENTS FORUMS CONTACT MEMBERSHIP PREMIUM APP TOURS ANCESTRY DNA FREE EBOOKS MAGAZINE Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More All   NEWS HUMAN ORIGINS HISTORY ARTIFACTS MYTHS PLACES UNEXPLAINED OPINION PREMIUM SHOP General History & Archaeology Science & Space Evolution & Human Origins Mysterious Phenomena Home / News UPDATED 30 JANUARY, 2014 – 07:07 APRILHOLLOWAY The Sumerian King List still puzzles historians after more than a century of research READ LATER  PRINT Out of the many incredible artefacts that have been recovered from sites in Iraq where flourishing Sumerian cities once stood, few have been more intriguing than the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer (ancient southern Iraq) from Sumerian and neighbouring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of “official” kingship. What makes this artefact so unique is the fact that the list blends apparently mythical pre-dynastic rulers with historical rulers who are known to have existed.  The first fragment of this rare and unique text, a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet, was found in the early 1900s by German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht at the site of ancient Nippur and published in 1906.  Since Hilprecht’s discovery, at least 18 other exemplars of the king’s list have been found, most of them dating from the second half of the Isin dynasty (c. 2017-1794 BCE.).  No two of these documents are identical. However, there is enough common material in all versions of the list to make it clear that they are derived from a single, “ideal” account of Sumerian history. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Among all the examples of the Sumerian King List, the Weld-Blundell prism in the Ashmolean Museum cuneiform collection in Oxford represents the most extensive version as well as the most complete copy of the King List. The 8-inch-high prism contains four sides with two columns on each side. It is believed that it originally had a wooden spindle going through its centre so that it could be rotated and read on all four sides. It lists rulers from the antediluvian (“before the flood”) dynasties to the fourteenth ruler of the Isin dynasty (ca. 1763–1753 BC). The list is of immense value because it reflects very old traditions while at the same time providing an important chronological framework relating to the different periods of kingship in Sumeria, and even demonstrates remarkable parallels to accounts in Genesis. The ancient civilisation of Sumer Sumer (sometimes called Sumeria), is the site of the earliest known civilization, located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More By the 3 rd millennium BC, Sumer was the site of at least twelve separate city states: Kish, Erech, Ur,Sippar, Akshak, Larak, Nippur, Adab, Umma, Lagash, Bad-tibira, and  Larsa. Each of these states comprised a walled city and its surrounding villages and land, and each worshiped its own deity, whose temple was the central structure of the city. Political power originally belonged to the citizens, but, as rivalry between the various city-states increased, each adopted the institution of  kingship.  The Sumerian King List , records that eight kings reigned before a great flood. After the Flood, various city-states and their dynasties of kings temporarily gained power over the others.  Sumer’s mythical past The Sumerian King List begins with the very origin of kingship, which is seen as a divine institution: “the kingship had descended from heaven”.  The rulers in the earliest dynasties are represented as reigning fantastically long periods: After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years. Some of the rulers mentioned in the early list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda and Gilgamesh, are mythical or legendary figures whose heroic feats are subjects of a series of Sumerian and Babylonian narrative compositions. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More The early list names eight kings with a total of 241,200 years from the time when kingship “descended from heaven” to the time when “the Flood” swept over the land and once more “the kingship was lowered from heaven” after the Flood. Interpretation of long reigns The amazingly long tenure of the early kings has provoked many attempts at interpretation. At one extreme is the complete dismissal of the astronomically large figures as “completely artificial” and the view that they are unworthy of serious consideration.  At the other extreme, is the belief that the numbers have a basis in reality and that the early kings were indeed gods who were capable of living much longer than humans. In between the two extremes is the hypothesis that the figures represent relative power, triumph or importance.  For example, in ancient Egypt, the phrase “he died aged 110” referred to someone who lived life to the full and who offered an important contribution to society.  In the same way, the extremely long periods of reign of the early kings may represent how incredibly important they were perceived as being in the eyes of the people. This doesn’t explain, however, why the periods of tenure later switched to realistic time periods. Related to this perspective is the belief that although the early kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicised. Finally, some scholars have sought to explain the figures through a mathematical investigation and interpretation (e.g. Harrison, 1993). Relation to Genesis Some scholars (e.g. Wood, 2003) have drawn attention to the fact that there are remarkable similarities between the Sumerian King List and accounts in Genesis.  For example, Genesis tells the story of ‘the great flood’ and Noah’s efforts to save all the species of animals on Earth from destruction.  Likewise, in the Sumerian King List, there is discussion of a great deluge: “the flood swept over the earth.” The Sumerian King List provides a list of eight kings (some versions have 10) who reigned for long periods of time before the flood, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200 years.  This is similar to Genesis 5, where the generations from Creation to the Flood are recorded. Interestingly, between Adam and Noah there are eight generations, just as there are eight kings between the beginning of kingship and the flood in the Sumerian King List. After the flood, the King List records kings who ruled for much shorter periods of time. Thus, the Sumerian King List not only documents a great flood early in man’s history, but it also reflects the same pattern of decreasing longevity as found in the Bible – men had extremely long life spans before the flood and much shorter life spans following the flood (Wood, 2003). The Sumerian King List truly is a perplexing mystery. Why would the Sumerians combine mythical rulers with actual historical rulers in one document? Why are there so many similarities with Genesis? Why were ancient kings described as ruling for thousands of years? These are just some of the questions that still remain unanswered after more than a century of research. By April Holloway References The Sumerian King List – University of Oxford Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Sumerian King List – by Bryant G. Wood The Sumerian king list: translation – The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature The Sumerian King List – by L.C. Geerts Reinvestigating the Antediluvian Sumerian King List – by R. K. Harrison The Sumerian King List – by Thorkild Jacobsen (The Oriental Institute of the University of California)               Section:  Artifacts Ancient Writings Myths & Legends Asia Tags:  Sumer Sumerian Sumerian King’s List mythical historical reign rulers Genesis Mesopotamia iraq Read the Comments(293 Comments) Sponsored Content Doctors Amazed: New Lung… AirPhysio Plus size black short sleeve… yoursclothinguk The Dating Site for… EliteSingles Sponsored 1/5 How the CLOUD Act may affect your data… IONOS cloud Read More [Pics] Royal Family Confirms Unfortunate… xfreehub Diabetics: Here’s How to Lower Blood Sugar (It’s… Diabetes Freedom [Pics] Feral Kid from Mad Max 2… Habittribe [Gallery] Airline Refuses To Let… Trendscatchers At 75, Tom Selleck And His… Worldemand Quiz: 9 Out Of 10 People Can’t Name These Actors Quizscape [Gallery] Why You Should Never Buy Meat From Aldi https://www.wanderoam.com/ Experts Ranked The Best US… Cleverst Bonmarche Firm Control… BON MARCHE [Gallery] Grace Kelly’s… The Fashion Ball [Pics] The Most Beautiful Dress Kate Middleton… Interesticle Your IQ Is 142 If You Get 15/20 On This General… TooCool2BeTrue APRIL April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan. Joanna… Read More RELATED ARTICLES ON ANCIENT-ORIGINS 3 MAY, 2021 – 22:09 WILLEM MCLOUD Sumerian Etana Translated As Biblical Enoch The Biblical Enoch corresponds to a remarkable degree with the figure of Etana in Sumerian tradition. It seems reasonable to assume that they belong to the same original tradition handed down in the… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT SUMERIAN ETANA TRANSLATED AS BIBLICAL ENOCH 1 MARCH, 2021 – 13:58 NATHAN FALDE Is Jiroft Site in Iran a True Cradle of Civilization? Archaeologists are preparing to launch the third major excavation of an important site on the Jiroft plain , in the Halil River valley of southeastern Iran . The Konar Sandal remains were exposed… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT IS JIROFT SITE IN IRAN A TRUE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION? 14 JANUARY, 2021 – 23:08 SARAH P YOUNG Ancient Mesopotamia and the Rise of Civilization In ancient times, Mesopotamia, meaning ‘land between two rivers’, was a vast region that lay between the Tigris and Euphrates river systems, and it is where civilization emerged over 7,000 years ago… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA AND THE RISE OF CIVILIZATION 13 JANUARY, 2021 – 19:46 WILLEM MCLOUD Mighty Gilgamesh: Archetype Of The Nephilim Gilgamesh is one of the greatest heroes of the ancient Middle Eastern world. The epic named after him has become one of the greatest literary works of all ages. There is, however, one aspect of… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT MIGHTY GILGAMESH: ARCHETYPE OF THE NEPHILIM 8 MAY, 2020 – 18:45 BRYAN HILL The Rise and Fall of Sumer and Akkad The Sumerians were the first known people to settle in Mesopotamia over 7,000 years ago. Located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern day Iraq),… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT THE RISE AND FALL OF SUMER AND AKKAD 14 JULY, 2019 – 01:53 CALEB STROM ‘First Kings’ Myths From Around the World: How Do They Compare? Monarchs have always played a very important role in how their subjects form their cultural identity. Egypt, China, and the Sumerian city-states are examples of some of the oldest monarchies. The… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ‘FIRST KINGS’ MYTHS FROM AROUND THE WORLD: HOW DO THEY COMPARE? MOST READ TODAY The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory The Mysterious Disappearance of the Thomas Hume and its Dramatic Rediscovery Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! 7 Amazing Glimpses into the Ancient Lives of Children King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Eight Surprising Things You Should Know About the Celts Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More     Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Sign Up for Premium Ads-FREE Content   Sponsored Stories Thousands Being Compensated To Miners For Mis-Sold Pension Transfers Get Claims Advice (claims management company) Stop overpaying on your energy bills. Search Energy Price Comparison Sites Yahoo! Search (Forbes) [Pics] Always Place A Bag On Your Car Mirror When Traveling Alone, Here’s Why Beachraider Recommended by   VIRAL ARTICLES Legends(active tab) Technology Ancient Places Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo Plus size black butterfly print sleeveless top 30-32 Update your casual collection with this new-in top Made from a soft woven fabric it features a butterfly print with a scoop neckline and sleeveless design Partner with jeans and sandals for the per… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Ancient Origins has been quoted by: TOP NEW STORIES Dover Castle: The Key to England at the Gateway to Europe Dover Castle has been dubbed the “Key to England” due to its location at the frontline of defense. Dover has played an important role in Britain’s history, both as a trading port and as the gateway… Archaeologists Uncover Preserved Ancient Pottery Workshop in Egypt Italian Researchers CT Scan Egyptian Priest Mummy The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Rare “Divine” Ancient Fire Temple Found in Iran Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! MYTHS & LEGENDS Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo HUMAN ORIGINS King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Have King Solomon’s Mines really been discovered? Yes, indeed. In fact, they have been known about for centuries, and modern archaeological work on them started way back in the early 19th century… Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend Is There Scientific Evidence for the Exodus? Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Ancient Treasures – Part II Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet In Sivershchina, close to the village of Mizyn in Ukraine is one of the oldest and most unique settlements of humans – and it was discovered in a parking lot. The now well-known archaeological site, known plainly as the Mizyn parking lot, dates back 18-20 thousand years. Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? Medical Mystery of Usermontu: Why the Discovery of 2,600-Year-Old Knee Screw Left Experts Dumbfounded Philip’s Fountain: The Oldest Still-In-Use Hydraulic Work in the World Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! ANCIENT PLACES The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory In the center of America’s Four Corners Region, Chaco Canyon is an arid, desolate place, sprinkled with the occasional, lonely juniper tree, cactus, or sage bush. Hundreds of mysterious, ancient structures haunt this canyon and the entire region, meticulously aligned along the paths of the Sun, Moon, and constellation Orion. Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Remembering the Future: How Ancient Maya Agronomists Changed the Modern World Fakes and Controversy on the River Clyde: The Case of Dumbuck Crannog Craco: The Abandoned Medieval Ghost Town of Italy OPINION Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? A central concept in the novel The Sphinx Scrolls is whether a mummification technology has ever existed that could preserve someone for long periods and retain the potential to bring them back to life. Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? The Underwater City of Cuba: A New Theory on its Origins – Part I Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Mount Shasta: Mystery Mountain and Sacred Destination Atlantis: Examining the Legendary Tale of Plato OUR MISSION At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exist countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings.  ANCIENT IMAGE GALLERIES Ancient Origins © 2013 – 2021 Disclaimer – Terms of Publication – Privacy Policy & Cookies – Advertising Policy – Submissions – We Give Back – Contact us A project of Stella Novus – Development and Customization by Novus Web Solutions ShareThis Copy and Paste Skip to main content ABOUT LOGIN REGISTER LINKS MEDIA EVENTS FORUMS CONTACT MEMBERSHIP PREMIUM APP TOURS ANCESTRY DNA FREE EBOOKS MAGAZINE Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More All   NEWS HUMAN ORIGINS HISTORY ARTIFACTS MYTHS PLACES UNEXPLAINED OPINION PREMIUM SHOP General History & Archaeology Science & Space Evolution & Human Origins Mysterious Phenomena Home / News UPDATED 30 JANUARY, 2014 – 07:07 APRILHOLLOWAY The Sumerian King List still puzzles historians after more than a century of research READ LATER  PRINT Out of the many incredible artefacts that have been recovered from sites in Iraq where flourishing Sumerian cities once stood, few have been more intriguing than the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer (ancient southern Iraq) from Sumerian and neighbouring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of “official” kingship. What makes this artefact so unique is the fact that the list blends apparently mythical pre-dynastic rulers with historical rulers who are known to have existed.  The first fragment of this rare and unique text, a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet, was found in the early 1900s by German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht at the site of ancient Nippur and published in 1906.  Since Hilprecht’s discovery, at least 18 other exemplars of the king’s list have been found, most of them dating from the second half of the Isin dynasty (c. 2017-1794 BCE.).  No two of these documents are identical. However, there is enough common material in all versions of the list to make it clear that they are derived from a single, “ideal” account of Sumerian history. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Among all the examples of the Sumerian King List, the Weld-Blundell prism in the Ashmolean Museum cuneiform collection in Oxford represents the most extensive version as well as the most complete copy of the King List. The 8-inch-high prism contains four sides with two columns on each side. It is believed that it originally had a wooden spindle going through its centre so that it could be rotated and read on all four sides. It lists rulers from the antediluvian (“before the flood”) dynasties to the fourteenth ruler of the Isin dynasty (ca. 1763–1753 BC). The list is of immense value because it reflects very old traditions while at the same time providing an important chronological framework relating to the different periods of kingship in Sumeria, and even demonstrates remarkable parallels to accounts in Genesis. The ancient civilisation of Sumer Sumer (sometimes called Sumeria), is the site of the earliest known civilization, located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More By the 3 rd millennium BC, Sumer was the site of at least twelve separate city states: Kish, Erech, Ur,Sippar, Akshak, Larak, Nippur, Adab, Umma, Lagash, Bad-tibira, and  Larsa. Each of these states comprised a walled city and its surrounding villages and land, and each worshiped its own deity, whose temple was the central structure of the city. Political power originally belonged to the citizens, but, as rivalry between the various city-states increased, each adopted the institution of  kingship.  The Sumerian King List , records that eight kings reigned before a great flood. After the Flood, various city-states and their dynasties of kings temporarily gained power over the others.  Sumer’s mythical past The Sumerian King List begins with the very origin of kingship, which is seen as a divine institution: “the kingship had descended from heaven”.  The rulers in the earliest dynasties are represented as reigning fantastically long periods: After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years. Some of the rulers mentioned in the early list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda and Gilgamesh, are mythical or legendary figures whose heroic feats are subjects of a series of Sumerian and Babylonian narrative compositions. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More The early list names eight kings with a total of 241,200 years from the time when kingship “descended from heaven” to the time when “the Flood” swept over the land and once more “the kingship was lowered from heaven” after the Flood. Interpretation of long reigns The amazingly long tenure of the early kings has provoked many attempts at interpretation. At one extreme is the complete dismissal of the astronomically large figures as “completely artificial” and the view that they are unworthy of serious consideration.  At the other extreme, is the belief that the numbers have a basis in reality and that the early kings were indeed gods who were capable of living much longer than humans. In between the two extremes is the hypothesis that the figures represent relative power, triumph or importance.  For example, in ancient Egypt, the phrase “he died aged 110” referred to someone who lived life to the full and who offered an important contribution to society.  In the same way, the extremely long periods of reign of the early kings may represent how incredibly important they were perceived as being in the eyes of the people. This doesn’t explain, however, why the periods of tenure later switched to realistic time periods. Related to this perspective is the belief that although the early kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicised. Finally, some scholars have sought to explain the figures through a mathematical investigation and interpretation (e.g. Harrison, 1993). Relation to Genesis Some scholars (e.g. Wood, 2003) have drawn attention to the fact that there are remarkable similarities between the Sumerian King List and accounts in Genesis.  For example, Genesis tells the story of ‘the great flood’ and Noah’s efforts to save all the species of animals on Earth from destruction.  Likewise, in the Sumerian King List, there is discussion of a great deluge: “the flood swept over the earth.” The Sumerian King List provides a list of eight kings (some versions have 10) who reigned for long periods of time before the flood, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200 years.  This is similar to Genesis 5, where the generations from Creation to the Flood are recorded. Interestingly, between Adam and Noah there are eight generations, just as there are eight kings between the beginning of kingship and the flood in the Sumerian King List. After the flood, the King List records kings who ruled for much shorter periods of time. Thus, the Sumerian King List not only documents a great flood early in man’s history, but it also reflects the same pattern of decreasing longevity as found in the Bible – men had extremely long life spans before the flood and much shorter life spans following the flood (Wood, 2003). The Sumerian King List truly is a perplexing mystery. Why would the Sumerians combine mythical rulers with actual historical rulers in one document? Why are there so many similarities with Genesis? Why were ancient kings described as ruling for thousands of years? These are just some of the questions that still remain unanswered after more than a century of research. By April Holloway References The Sumerian King List – University of Oxford Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Sumerian King List – by Bryant G. Wood The Sumerian king list: translation – The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature The Sumerian King List – by L.C. Geerts Reinvestigating the Antediluvian Sumerian King List – by R. K. Harrison The Sumerian King List – by Thorkild Jacobsen (The Oriental Institute of the University of California)               Section:  Artifacts Ancient Writings Myths & Legends Asia Tags:  Sumer Sumerian Sumerian King’s List mythical historical reign rulers Genesis Mesopotamia iraq Read the Comments(293 Comments) Sponsored Content Doctors Amazed: New Lung… AirPhysio Plus size black short sleeve… yoursclothinguk The Dating Site for… EliteSingles Sponsored 1/5 How the CLOUD Act may affect your data… IONOS cloud Read More [Pics] Royal Family Confirms Unfortunate… xfreehub Diabetics: Here’s How to Lower Blood Sugar (It’s… Diabetes Freedom [Pics] Feral Kid from Mad Max 2… Habittribe [Gallery] Airline Refuses To Let… Trendscatchers At 75, Tom Selleck And His… Worldemand Quiz: 9 Out Of 10 People Can’t Name These Actors Quizscape [Gallery] Why You Should Never Buy Meat From Aldi https://www.wanderoam.com/ Experts Ranked The Best US… Cleverst Bonmarche Firm Control… BON MARCHE [Gallery] Grace Kelly’s… The Fashion Ball [Pics] The Most Beautiful Dress Kate Middleton… Interesticle Your IQ Is 142 If You Get 15/20 On This General… TooCool2BeTrue APRIL April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan. Joanna… Read More RELATED ARTICLES ON ANCIENT-ORIGINS 3 MAY, 2021 – 22:09 WILLEM MCLOUD Sumerian Etana Translated As Biblical Enoch The Biblical Enoch corresponds to a remarkable degree with the figure of Etana in Sumerian tradition. It seems reasonable to assume that they belong to the same original tradition handed down in the… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT SUMERIAN ETANA TRANSLATED AS BIBLICAL ENOCH 1 MARCH, 2021 – 13:58 NATHAN FALDE Is Jiroft Site in Iran a True Cradle of Civilization? Archaeologists are preparing to launch the third major excavation of an important site on the Jiroft plain , in the Halil River valley of southeastern Iran . The Konar Sandal remains were exposed… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT IS JIROFT SITE IN IRAN A TRUE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION? 14 JANUARY, 2021 – 23:08 SARAH P YOUNG Ancient Mesopotamia and the Rise of Civilization In ancient times, Mesopotamia, meaning ‘land between two rivers’, was a vast region that lay between the Tigris and Euphrates river systems, and it is where civilization emerged over 7,000 years ago… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA AND THE RISE OF CIVILIZATION 13 JANUARY, 2021 – 19:46 WILLEM MCLOUD Mighty Gilgamesh: Archetype Of The Nephilim Gilgamesh is one of the greatest heroes of the ancient Middle Eastern world. The epic named after him has become one of the greatest literary works of all ages. There is, however, one aspect of… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT MIGHTY GILGAMESH: ARCHETYPE OF THE NEPHILIM 8 MAY, 2020 – 18:45 BRYAN HILL The Rise and Fall of Sumer and Akkad The Sumerians were the first known people to settle in Mesopotamia over 7,000 years ago. Located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern day Iraq),… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT THE RISE AND FALL OF SUMER AND AKKAD 14 JULY, 2019 – 01:53 CALEB STROM ‘First Kings’ Myths From Around the World: How Do They Compare? Monarchs have always played a very important role in how their subjects form their cultural identity. Egypt, China, and the Sumerian city-states are examples of some of the oldest monarchies. The… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ‘FIRST KINGS’ MYTHS FROM AROUND THE WORLD: HOW DO THEY COMPARE? MOST READ TODAY The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory The Mysterious Disappearance of the Thomas Hume and its Dramatic Rediscovery Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! 7 Amazing Glimpses into the Ancient Lives of Children King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Eight Surprising Things You Should Know About the Celts Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More     Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Sign Up for Premium Ads-FREE Content   Sponsored Stories Thousands Being Compensated To Miners For Mis-Sold Pension Transfers Get Claims Advice (claims management company) Stop overpaying on your energy bills. Search Energy Price Comparison Sites Yahoo! Search (Forbes) [Pics] Always Place A Bag On Your Car Mirror When Traveling Alone, Here’s Why Beachraider Recommended by   VIRAL ARTICLES Legends(active tab) Technology Ancient Places Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo Plus size black butterfly print sleeveless top 30-32 Update your casual collection with this new-in top Made from a soft woven fabric it features a butterfly print with a scoop neckline and sleeveless design Partner with jeans and sandals for the per… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Ancient Origins has been quoted by: TOP NEW STORIES Dover Castle: The Key to England at the Gateway to Europe Dover Castle has been dubbed the “Key to England” due to its location at the frontline of defense. Dover has played an important role in Britain’s history, both as a trading port and as the gateway… Archaeologists Uncover Preserved Ancient Pottery Workshop in Egypt Italian Researchers CT Scan Egyptian Priest Mummy The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Rare “Divine” Ancient Fire Temple Found in Iran Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! MYTHS & LEGENDS Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo HUMAN ORIGINS King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Have King Solomon’s Mines really been discovered? Yes, indeed. In fact, they have been known about for centuries, and modern archaeological work on them started way back in the early 19th century… Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend Is There Scientific Evidence for the Exodus? Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Ancient Treasures – Part II Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet In Sivershchina, close to the village of Mizyn in Ukraine is one of the oldest and most unique settlements of humans – and it was discovered in a parking lot. The now well-known archaeological site, known plainly as the Mizyn parking lot, dates back 18-20 thousand years. Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? Medical Mystery of Usermontu: Why the Discovery of 2,600-Year-Old Knee Screw Left Experts Dumbfounded Philip’s Fountain: The Oldest Still-In-Use Hydraulic Work in the World Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! ANCIENT PLACES The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory In the center of America’s Four Corners Region, Chaco Canyon is an arid, desolate place, sprinkled with the occasional, lonely juniper tree, cactus, or sage bush. Hundreds of mysterious, ancient structures haunt this canyon and the entire region, meticulously aligned along the paths of the Sun, Moon, and constellation Orion. Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Remembering the Future: How Ancient Maya Agronomists Changed the Modern World Fakes and Controversy on the River Clyde: The Case of Dumbuck Crannog Craco: The Abandoned Medieval Ghost Town of Italy OPINION Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? A central concept in the novel The Sphinx Scrolls is whether a mummification technology has ever existed that could preserve someone for long periods and retain the potential to bring them back to life. Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? The Underwater City of Cuba: A New Theory on its Origins – Part I Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Mount Shasta: Mystery Mountain and Sacred Destination Atlantis: Examining the Legendary Tale of Plato OUR MISSION At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exist countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings.  ANCIENT IMAGE GALLERIES Ancient Origins © 2013 – 2021 Disclaimer – Terms of Publication – Privacy Policy & Cookies – Advertising Policy – Submissions – We Give Back – Contact us A project of Stella Novus – Development and Customization by Novus Web Solutions Skip to main content ABOUT LOGIN REGISTER LINKS MEDIA EVENTS FORUMS CONTACT MEMBERSHIP PREMIUM APP TOURS ANCESTRY DNA FREE EBOOKS MAGAZINE Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More All   NEWS HUMAN ORIGINS HISTORY ARTIFACTS MYTHS PLACES UNEXPLAINED OPINION PREMIUM SHOP General History & Archaeology Science & Space Evolution & Human Origins Mysterious Phenomena Home / News UPDATED 30 JANUARY, 2014 – 07:07 APRILHOLLOWAY The Sumerian King List still puzzles historians after more than a century of research READ LATER  PRINT Out of the many incredible artefacts that have been recovered from sites in Iraq where flourishing Sumerian cities once stood, few have been more intriguing than the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer (ancient southern Iraq) from Sumerian and neighbouring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of “official” kingship. What makes this artefact so unique is the fact that the list blends apparently mythical pre-dynastic rulers with historical rulers who are known to have existed.  The first fragment of this rare and unique text, a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet, was found in the early 1900s by German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht at the site of ancient Nippur and published in 1906.  Since Hilprecht’s discovery, at least 18 other exemplars of the king’s list have been found, most of them dating from the second half of the Isin dynasty (c. 2017-1794 BCE.).  No two of these documents are identical. However, there is enough common material in all versions of the list to make it clear that they are derived from a single, “ideal” account of Sumerian history. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Among all the examples of the Sumerian King List, the Weld-Blundell prism in the Ashmolean Museum cuneiform collection in Oxford represents the most extensive version as well as the most complete copy of the King List. The 8-inch-high prism contains four sides with two columns on each side. It is believed that it originally had a wooden spindle going through its centre so that it could be rotated and read on all four sides. It lists rulers from the antediluvian (“before the flood”) dynasties to the fourteenth ruler of the Isin dynasty (ca. 1763–1753 BC). The list is of immense value because it reflects very old traditions while at the same time providing an important chronological framework relating to the different periods of kingship in Sumeria, and even demonstrates remarkable parallels to accounts in Genesis. The ancient civilisation of Sumer Sumer (sometimes called Sumeria), is the site of the earliest known civilization, located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More By the 3 rd millennium BC, Sumer was the site of at least twelve separate city states: Kish, Erech, Ur,Sippar, Akshak, Larak, Nippur, Adab, Umma, Lagash, Bad-tibira, and  Larsa. Each of these states comprised a walled city and its surrounding villages and land, and each worshiped its own deity, whose temple was the central structure of the city. Political power originally belonged to the citizens, but, as rivalry between the various city-states increased, each adopted the institution of  kingship.  The Sumerian King List , records that eight kings reigned before a great flood. After the Flood, various city-states and their dynasties of kings temporarily gained power over the others.  Sumer’s mythical past The Sumerian King List begins with the very origin of kingship, which is seen as a divine institution: “the kingship had descended from heaven”.  The rulers in the earliest dynasties are represented as reigning fantastically long periods: After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years. Some of the rulers mentioned in the early list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda and Gilgamesh, are mythical or legendary figures whose heroic feats are subjects of a series of Sumerian and Babylonian narrative compositions. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More The early list names eight kings with a total of 241,200 years from the time when kingship “descended from heaven” to the time when “the Flood” swept over the land and once more “the kingship was lowered from heaven” after the Flood. Interpretation of long reigns The amazingly long tenure of the early kings has provoked many attempts at interpretation. At one extreme is the complete dismissal of the astronomically large figures as “completely artificial” and the view that they are unworthy of serious consideration.  At the other extreme, is the belief that the numbers have a basis in reality and that the early kings were indeed gods who were capable of living much longer than humans. In between the two extremes is the hypothesis that the figures represent relative power, triumph or importance.  For example, in ancient Egypt, the phrase “he died aged 110” referred to someone who lived life to the full and who offered an important contribution to society.  In the same way, the extremely long periods of reign of the early kings may represent how incredibly important they were perceived as being in the eyes of the people. This doesn’t explain, however, why the periods of tenure later switched to realistic time periods. Related to this perspective is the belief that although the early kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicised. Finally, some scholars have sought to explain the figures through a mathematical investigation and interpretation (e.g. Harrison, 1993). Relation to Genesis Some scholars (e.g. Wood, 2003) have drawn attention to the fact that there are remarkable similarities between the Sumerian King List and accounts in Genesis.  For example, Genesis tells the story of ‘the great flood’ and Noah’s efforts to save all the species of animals on Earth from destruction.  Likewise, in the Sumerian King List, there is discussion of a great deluge: “the flood swept over the earth.” The Sumerian King List provides a list of eight kings (some versions have 10) who reigned for long periods of time before the flood, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200 years.  This is similar to Genesis 5, where the generations from Creation to the Flood are recorded. Interestingly, between Adam and Noah there are eight generations, just as there are eight kings between the beginning of kingship and the flood in the Sumerian King List. After the flood, the King List records kings who ruled for much shorter periods of time. Thus, the Sumerian King List not only documents a great flood early in man’s history, but it also reflects the same pattern of decreasing longevity as found in the Bible – men had extremely long life spans before the flood and much shorter life spans following the flood (Wood, 2003). The Sumerian King List truly is a perplexing mystery. Why would the Sumerians combine mythical rulers with actual historical rulers in one document? Why are there so many similarities with Genesis? Why were ancient kings described as ruling for thousands of years? These are just some of the questions that still remain unanswered after more than a century of research. By April Holloway References The Sumerian King List – University of Oxford Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Sumerian King List – by Bryant G. Wood The Sumerian king list: translation – The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature The Sumerian King List – by L.C. Geerts Reinvestigating the Antediluvian Sumerian King List – by R. K. Harrison The Sumerian King List – by Thorkild Jacobsen (The Oriental Institute of the University of California)               Section:  Artifacts Ancient Writings Myths & Legends Asia Tags:  Sumer Sumerian Sumerian King’s List mythical historical reign rulers Genesis Mesopotamia iraq Read the Comments(293 Comments) Sponsored Content Doctors Amazed: New Lung… AirPhysio Plus size black short sleeve… yoursclothinguk The Dating Site for… EliteSingles Sponsored 1/5 How the CLOUD Act may affect your data… IONOS cloud Read More [Pics] Royal Family Confirms Unfortunate… xfreehub Diabetics: Here’s How to Lower Blood Sugar (It’s… Diabetes Freedom [Pics] Feral Kid from Mad Max 2… Habittribe [Gallery] Airline Refuses To Let… Trendscatchers At 75, Tom Selleck And His… Worldemand Quiz: 9 Out Of 10 People Can’t Name These Actors Quizscape [Gallery] Why You Should Never Buy Meat From Aldi https://www.wanderoam.com/ Experts Ranked The Best US… Cleverst Bonmarche Firm Control… BON MARCHE [Gallery] Grace Kelly’s… The Fashion Ball [Pics] The Most Beautiful Dress Kate Middleton… Interesticle Your IQ Is 142 If You Get 15/20 On This General… TooCool2BeTrue APRIL April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan. Joanna… Read More RELATED ARTICLES ON ANCIENT-ORIGINS 3 MAY, 2021 – 22:09 WILLEM MCLOUD Sumerian Etana Translated As Biblical Enoch The Biblical Enoch corresponds to a remarkable degree with the figure of Etana in Sumerian tradition. It seems reasonable to assume that they belong to the same original tradition handed down in the… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT SUMERIAN ETANA TRANSLATED AS BIBLICAL ENOCH 1 MARCH, 2021 – 13:58 NATHAN FALDE Is Jiroft Site in Iran a True Cradle of Civilization? Archaeologists are preparing to launch the third major excavation of an important site on the Jiroft plain , in the Halil River valley of southeastern Iran . The Konar Sandal remains were exposed… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT IS JIROFT SITE IN IRAN A TRUE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION? 14 JANUARY, 2021 – 23:08 SARAH P YOUNG Ancient Mesopotamia and the Rise of Civilization In ancient times, Mesopotamia, meaning ‘land between two rivers’, was a vast region that lay between the Tigris and Euphrates river systems, and it is where civilization emerged over 7,000 years ago… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA AND THE RISE OF CIVILIZATION 13 JANUARY, 2021 – 19:46 WILLEM MCLOUD Mighty Gilgamesh: Archetype Of The Nephilim Gilgamesh is one of the greatest heroes of the ancient Middle Eastern world. The epic named after him has become one of the greatest literary works of all ages. There is, however, one aspect of… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT MIGHTY GILGAMESH: ARCHETYPE OF THE NEPHILIM 8 MAY, 2020 – 18:45 BRYAN HILL The Rise and Fall of Sumer and Akkad The Sumerians were the first known people to settle in Mesopotamia over 7,000 years ago. Located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern day Iraq),… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT THE RISE AND FALL OF SUMER AND AKKAD 14 JULY, 2019 – 01:53 CALEB STROM ‘First Kings’ Myths From Around the World: How Do They Compare? Monarchs have always played a very important role in how their subjects form their cultural identity. Egypt, China, and the Sumerian city-states are examples of some of the oldest monarchies. The… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ‘FIRST KINGS’ MYTHS FROM AROUND THE WORLD: HOW DO THEY COMPARE? MOST READ TODAY The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory The Mysterious Disappearance of the Thomas Hume and its Dramatic Rediscovery Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! 7 Amazing Glimpses into the Ancient Lives of Children King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Eight Surprising Things You Should Know About the Celts Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More     Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Sign Up for Premium Ads-FREE Content   Sponsored Stories Thousands Being Compensated To Miners For Mis-Sold Pension Transfers Get Claims Advice (claims management company) Stop overpaying on your energy bills. Search Energy Price Comparison Sites Yahoo! Search (Forbes) [Pics] Always Place A Bag On Your Car Mirror When Traveling Alone, Here’s Why Beachraider Recommended by   VIRAL ARTICLES Legends(active tab) Technology Ancient Places Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo Plus size black butterfly print sleeveless top 30-32 Update your casual collection with this new-in top Made from a soft woven fabric it features a butterfly print with a scoop neckline and sleeveless design Partner with jeans and sandals for the per… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Ancient Origins has been quoted by: TOP NEW STORIES Dover Castle: The Key to England at the Gateway to Europe Dover Castle has been dubbed the “Key to England” due to its location at the frontline of defense. Dover has played an important role in Britain’s history, both as a trading port and as the gateway… Archaeologists Uncover Preserved Ancient Pottery Workshop in Egypt Italian Researchers CT Scan Egyptian Priest Mummy The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Rare “Divine” Ancient Fire Temple Found in Iran Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! MYTHS & LEGENDS Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo HUMAN ORIGINS King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Have King Solomon’s Mines really been discovered? Yes, indeed. In fact, they have been known about for centuries, and modern archaeological work on them started way back in the early 19th century… Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend Is There Scientific Evidence for the Exodus? Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Ancient Treasures – Part II Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet In Sivershchina, close to the village of Mizyn in Ukraine is one of the oldest and most unique settlements of humans – and it was discovered in a parking lot. The now well-known archaeological site, known plainly as the Mizyn parking lot, dates back 18-20 thousand years. Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? Medical Mystery of Usermontu: Why the Discovery of 2,600-Year-Old Knee Screw Left Experts Dumbfounded Philip’s Fountain: The Oldest Still-In-Use Hydraulic Work in the World Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! ANCIENT PLACES The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory In the center of America’s Four Corners Region, Chaco Canyon is an arid, desolate place, sprinkled with the occasional, lonely juniper tree, cactus, or sage bush. Hundreds of mysterious, ancient structures haunt this canyon and the entire region, meticulously aligned along the paths of the Sun, Moon, and constellation Orion. Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Remembering the Future: How Ancient Maya Agronomists Changed the Modern World Fakes and Controversy on the River Clyde: The Case of Dumbuck Crannog Craco: The Abandoned Medieval Ghost Town of Italy OPINION Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? A central concept in the novel The Sphinx Scrolls is whether a mummification technology has ever existed that could preserve someone for long periods and retain the potential to bring them back to life. Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? The Underwater City of Cuba: A New Theory on its Origins – Part I Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Mount Shasta: Mystery Mountain and Sacred Destination Atlantis: Examining the Legendary Tale of Plato OUR MISSION At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exist countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings.  ANCIENT IMAGE GALLERIES Ancient Origins © 2013 – 2021 Disclaimer – Terms of Publication – Privacy Policy & Cookies – Advertising Policy – Submissions – We Give Back – Contact us A project of Stella Novus – Development and Customization by Novus Web Solutions ShareThis Copy and Paste Skip to main content ABOUT LOGIN REGISTER LINKS MEDIA EVENTS FORUMS CONTACT MEMBERSHIP PREMIUM APP TOURS ANCESTRY DNA FREE EBOOKS MAGAZINE Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More All   NEWS HUMAN ORIGINS HISTORY ARTIFACTS MYTHS PLACES UNEXPLAINED OPINION PREMIUM SHOP General History & Archaeology Science & Space Evolution & Human Origins Mysterious Phenomena Home / News UPDATED 30 JANUARY, 2014 – 07:07 APRILHOLLOWAY The Sumerian King List still puzzles historians after more than a century of research READ LATER  PRINT Out of the many incredible artefacts that have been recovered from sites in Iraq where flourishing Sumerian cities once stood, few have been more intriguing than the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer (ancient southern Iraq) from Sumerian and neighbouring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of “official” kingship. What makes this artefact so unique is the fact that the list blends apparently mythical pre-dynastic rulers with historical rulers who are known to have existed.  The first fragment of this rare and unique text, a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet, was found in the early 1900s by German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht at the site of ancient Nippur and published in 1906.  Since Hilprecht’s discovery, at least 18 other exemplars of the king’s list have been found, most of them dating from the second half of the Isin dynasty (c. 2017-1794 BCE.).  No two of these documents are identical. However, there is enough common material in all versions of the list to make it clear that they are derived from a single, “ideal” account of Sumerian history. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Among all the examples of the Sumerian King List, the Weld-Blundell prism in the Ashmolean Museum cuneiform collection in Oxford represents the most extensive version as well as the most complete copy of the King List. The 8-inch-high prism contains four sides with two columns on each side. It is believed that it originally had a wooden spindle going through its centre so that it could be rotated and read on all four sides. It lists rulers from the antediluvian (“before the flood”) dynasties to the fourteenth ruler of the Isin dynasty (ca. 1763–1753 BC). The list is of immense value because it reflects very old traditions while at the same time providing an important chronological framework relating to the different periods of kingship in Sumeria, and even demonstrates remarkable parallels to accounts in Genesis. The ancient civilisation of Sumer Sumer (sometimes called Sumeria), is the site of the earliest known civilization, located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More By the 3 rd millennium BC, Sumer was the site of at least twelve separate city states: Kish, Erech, Ur,Sippar, Akshak, Larak, Nippur, Adab, Umma, Lagash, Bad-tibira, and  Larsa. Each of these states comprised a walled city and its surrounding villages and land, and each worshiped its own deity, whose temple was the central structure of the city. Political power originally belonged to the citizens, but, as rivalry between the various city-states increased, each adopted the institution of  kingship.  The Sumerian King List , records that eight kings reigned before a great flood. After the Flood, various city-states and their dynasties of kings temporarily gained power over the others.  Sumer’s mythical past The Sumerian King List begins with the very origin of kingship, which is seen as a divine institution: “the kingship had descended from heaven”.  The rulers in the earliest dynasties are represented as reigning fantastically long periods: After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years. Some of the rulers mentioned in the early list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda and Gilgamesh, are mythical or legendary figures whose heroic feats are subjects of a series of Sumerian and Babylonian narrative compositions. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More The early list names eight kings with a total of 241,200 years from the time when kingship “descended from heaven” to the time when “the Flood” swept over the land and once more “the kingship was lowered from heaven” after the Flood. Interpretation of long reigns The amazingly long tenure of the early kings has provoked many attempts at interpretation. At one extreme is the complete dismissal of the astronomically large figures as “completely artificial” and the view that they are unworthy of serious consideration.  At the other extreme, is the belief that the numbers have a basis in reality and that the early kings were indeed gods who were capable of living much longer than humans. In between the two extremes is the hypothesis that the figures represent relative power, triumph or importance.  For example, in ancient Egypt, the phrase “he died aged 110” referred to someone who lived life to the full and who offered an important contribution to society.  In the same way, the extremely long periods of reign of the early kings may represent how incredibly important they were perceived as being in the eyes of the people. This doesn’t explain, however, why the periods of tenure later switched to realistic time periods. Related to this perspective is the belief that although the early kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicised. Finally, some scholars have sought to explain the figures through a mathematical investigation and interpretation (e.g. Harrison, 1993). Relation to Genesis Some scholars (e.g. Wood, 2003) have drawn attention to the fact that there are remarkable similarities between the Sumerian King List and accounts in Genesis.  For example, Genesis tells the story of ‘the great flood’ and Noah’s efforts to save all the species of animals on Earth from destruction.  Likewise, in the Sumerian King List, there is discussion of a great deluge: “the flood swept over the earth.” The Sumerian King List provides a list of eight kings (some versions have 10) who reigned for long periods of time before the flood, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200 years.  This is similar to Genesis 5, where the generations from Creation to the Flood are recorded. Interestingly, between Adam and Noah there are eight generations, just as there are eight kings between the beginning of kingship and the flood in the Sumerian King List. After the flood, the King List records kings who ruled for much shorter periods of time. Thus, the Sumerian King List not only documents a great flood early in man’s history, but it also reflects the same pattern of decreasing longevity as found in the Bible – men had extremely long life spans before the flood and much shorter life spans following the flood (Wood, 2003). The Sumerian King List truly is a perplexing mystery. Why would the Sumerians combine mythical rulers with actual historical rulers in one document? Why are there so many similarities with Genesis? Why were ancient kings described as ruling for thousands of years? These are just some of the questions that still remain unanswered after more than a century of research. By April Holloway References The Sumerian King List – University of Oxford Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Sumerian King List – by Bryant G. Wood The Sumerian king list: translation – The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature The Sumerian King List – by L.C. Geerts Reinvestigating the Antediluvian Sumerian King List – by R. K. Harrison The Sumerian King List – by Thorkild Jacobsen (The Oriental Institute of the University of California)               Section:  Artifacts Ancient Writings Myths & Legends Asia Tags:  Sumer Sumerian Sumerian King’s List mythical historical reign rulers Genesis Mesopotamia iraq Read the Comments(293 Comments) Sponsored Content Doctors Amazed: New Lung… AirPhysio Plus size black short sleeve… yoursclothinguk The Dating Site for… EliteSingles Sponsored 3/5 Skip Adskip_next Read More [Pics] Royal Family Confirms Unfortunate… xfreehub Diabetics: Here’s How to Lower Blood Sugar (It’s… Diabetes Freedom [Pics] Feral Kid from Mad Max 2… Habittribe [Gallery] Airline Refuses To Let… Trendscatchers At 75, Tom Selleck And His… Worldemand Quiz: 9 Out Of 10 People Can’t Name These Actors Quizscape [Gallery] Why You Should Never Buy Meat From Aldi https://www.wanderoam.com/ Experts Ranked The Best US… Cleverst Bonmarche Firm Control… BON MARCHE [Gallery] Grace Kelly’s… The Fashion Ball [Pics] The Most Beautiful Dress Kate Middleton… Interesticle Your IQ Is 142 If You Get 15/20 On This General… TooCool2BeTrue APRIL April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan. Joanna… Read More RELATED ARTICLES ON ANCIENT-ORIGINS 3 MAY, 2021 – 22:09 WILLEM MCLOUD Sumerian Etana Translated As Biblical Enoch The Biblical Enoch corresponds to a remarkable degree with the figure of Etana in Sumerian tradition. It seems reasonable to assume that they belong to the same original tradition handed down in the… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT SUMERIAN ETANA TRANSLATED AS BIBLICAL ENOCH 1 MARCH, 2021 – 13:58 NATHAN FALDE Is Jiroft Site in Iran a True Cradle of Civilization? Archaeologists are preparing to launch the third major excavation of an important site on the Jiroft plain , in the Halil River valley of southeastern Iran . The Konar Sandal remains were exposed… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT IS JIROFT SITE IN IRAN A TRUE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION? 14 JANUARY, 2021 – 23:08 SARAH P YOUNG Ancient Mesopotamia and the Rise of Civilization In ancient times, Mesopotamia, meaning ‘land between two rivers’, was a vast region that lay between the Tigris and Euphrates river systems, and it is where civilization emerged over 7,000 years ago… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA AND THE RISE OF CIVILIZATION 13 JANUARY, 2021 – 19:46 WILLEM MCLOUD Mighty Gilgamesh: Archetype Of The Nephilim Gilgamesh is one of the greatest heroes of the ancient Middle Eastern world. The epic named after him has become one of the greatest literary works of all ages. There is, however, one aspect of… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT MIGHTY GILGAMESH: ARCHETYPE OF THE NEPHILIM 8 MAY, 2020 – 18:45 BRYAN HILL The Rise and Fall of Sumer and Akkad The Sumerians were the first known people to settle in Mesopotamia over 7,000 years ago. Located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern day Iraq),… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT THE RISE AND FALL OF SUMER AND AKKAD 14 JULY, 2019 – 01:53 CALEB STROM ‘First Kings’ Myths From Around the World: How Do They Compare? Monarchs have always played a very important role in how their subjects form their cultural identity. Egypt, China, and the Sumerian city-states are examples of some of the oldest monarchies. The… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ‘FIRST KINGS’ MYTHS FROM AROUND THE WORLD: HOW DO THEY COMPARE? MOST READ TODAY The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory The Mysterious Disappearance of the Thomas Hume and its Dramatic Rediscovery Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! 7 Amazing Glimpses into the Ancient Lives of Children King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Eight Surprising Things You Should Know About the Celts Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More     Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Sign Up for Premium Ads-FREE Content   Sponsored Stories Thousands Being Compensated To Miners For Mis-Sold Pension Transfers Get Claims Advice (claims management company) Stop overpaying on your energy bills. Search Energy Price Comparison Sites Yahoo! Search (Forbes) [Pics] Always Place A Bag On Your Car Mirror When Traveling Alone, Here’s Why Beachraider Recommended by   VIRAL ARTICLES Legends(active tab) Technology Ancient Places Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo Plus size black butterfly print sleeveless top 30-32 Update your casual collection with this new-in top Made from a soft woven fabric it features a butterfly print with a scoop neckline and sleeveless design Partner with jeans and sandals for the per… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Ancient Origins has been quoted by: TOP NEW STORIES Dover Castle: The Key to England at the Gateway to Europe Dover Castle has been dubbed the “Key to England” due to its location at the frontline of defense. Dover has played an important role in Britain’s history, both as a trading port and as the gateway… Archaeologists Uncover Preserved Ancient Pottery Workshop in Egypt Italian Researchers CT Scan Egyptian Priest Mummy The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Rare “Divine” Ancient Fire Temple Found in Iran Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! MYTHS & LEGENDS Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo HUMAN ORIGINS King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Have King Solomon’s Mines really been discovered? Yes, indeed. In fact, they have been known about for centuries, and modern archaeological work on them started way back in the early 19th century… Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend Is There Scientific Evidence for the Exodus? Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Ancient Treasures – Part II Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet In Sivershchina, close to the village of Mizyn in Ukraine is one of the oldest and most unique settlements of humans – and it was discovered in a parking lot. The now well-known archaeological site, known plainly as the Mizyn parking lot, dates back 18-20 thousand years. Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? Medical Mystery of Usermontu: Why the Discovery of 2,600-Year-Old Knee Screw Left Experts Dumbfounded Philip’s Fountain: The Oldest Still-In-Use Hydraulic Work in the World Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! ANCIENT PLACES The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory In the center of America’s Four Corners Region, Chaco Canyon is an arid, desolate place, sprinkled with the occasional, lonely juniper tree, cactus, or sage bush. Hundreds of mysterious, ancient structures haunt this canyon and the entire region, meticulously aligned along the paths of the Sun, Moon, and constellation Orion. Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Remembering the Future: How Ancient Maya Agronomists Changed the Modern World Fakes and Controversy on the River Clyde: The Case of Dumbuck Crannog Craco: The Abandoned Medieval Ghost Town of Italy OPINION Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? A central concept in the novel The Sphinx Scrolls is whether a mummification technology has ever existed that could preserve someone for long periods and retain the potential to bring them back to life. Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? The Underwater City of Cuba: A New Theory on its Origins – Part I Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Mount Shasta: Mystery Mountain and Sacred Destination Atlantis: Examining the Legendary Tale of Plato OUR MISSION At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exist countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings.  ANCIENT IMAGE GALLERIES Ancient Origins © 2013 – 2021 Disclaimer – Terms of Publication – Privacy Policy & Cookies – Advertising Policy – Submissions – We Give Back – Contact us A project of Stella Novus – Development and Customization by Novus Web Solutions Skip to main content ABOUT LOGIN REGISTER LINKS MEDIA EVENTS FORUMS CONTACT MEMBERSHIP PREMIUM APP TOURS ANCESTRY DNA FREE EBOOKS MAGAZINE Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More All   NEWS HUMAN ORIGINS HISTORY ARTIFACTS MYTHS PLACES UNEXPLAINED OPINION PREMIUM SHOP General History & Archaeology Science & Space Evolution & Human Origins Mysterious Phenomena Home / News UPDATED 30 JANUARY, 2014 – 07:07 APRILHOLLOWAY The Sumerian King List still puzzles historians after more than a century of research READ LATER  PRINT Out of the many incredible artefacts that have been recovered from sites in Iraq where flourishing Sumerian cities once stood, few have been more intriguing than the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer (ancient southern Iraq) from Sumerian and neighbouring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of “official” kingship. What makes this artefact so unique is the fact that the list blends apparently mythical pre-dynastic rulers with historical rulers who are known to have existed.  The first fragment of this rare and unique text, a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet, was found in the early 1900s by German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht at the site of ancient Nippur and published in 1906.  Since Hilprecht’s discovery, at least 18 other exemplars of the king’s list have been found, most of them dating from the second half of the Isin dynasty (c. 2017-1794 BCE.).  No two of these documents are identical. However, there is enough common material in all versions of the list to make it clear that they are derived from a single, “ideal” account of Sumerian history. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Among all the examples of the Sumerian King List, the Weld-Blundell prism in the Ashmolean Museum cuneiform collection in Oxford represents the most extensive version as well as the most complete copy of the King List. The 8-inch-high prism contains four sides with two columns on each side. It is believed that it originally had a wooden spindle going through its centre so that it could be rotated and read on all four sides. It lists rulers from the antediluvian (“before the flood”) dynasties to the fourteenth ruler of the Isin dynasty (ca. 1763–1753 BC). The list is of immense value because it reflects very old traditions while at the same time providing an important chronological framework relating to the different periods of kingship in Sumeria, and even demonstrates remarkable parallels to accounts in Genesis. The ancient civilisation of Sumer Sumer (sometimes called Sumeria), is the site of the earliest known civilization, located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More By the 3 rd millennium BC, Sumer was the site of at least twelve separate city states: Kish, Erech, Ur,Sippar, Akshak, Larak, Nippur, Adab, Umma, Lagash, Bad-tibira, and  Larsa. Each of these states comprised a walled city and its surrounding villages and land, and each worshiped its own deity, whose temple was the central structure of the city. Political power originally belonged to the citizens, but, as rivalry between the various city-states increased, each adopted the institution of  kingship.  The Sumerian King List , records that eight kings reigned before a great flood. After the Flood, various city-states and their dynasties of kings temporarily gained power over the others.  Sumer’s mythical past The Sumerian King List begins with the very origin of kingship, which is seen as a divine institution: “the kingship had descended from heaven”.  The rulers in the earliest dynasties are represented as reigning fantastically long periods: After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years. Some of the rulers mentioned in the early list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda and Gilgamesh, are mythical or legendary figures whose heroic feats are subjects of a series of Sumerian and Babylonian narrative compositions. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More The early list names eight kings with a total of 241,200 years from the time when kingship “descended from heaven” to the time when “the Flood” swept over the land and once more “the kingship was lowered from heaven” after the Flood. Interpretation of long reigns The amazingly long tenure of the early kings has provoked many attempts at interpretation. At one extreme is the complete dismissal of the astronomically large figures as “completely artificial” and the view that they are unworthy of serious consideration.  At the other extreme, is the belief that the numbers have a basis in reality and that the early kings were indeed gods who were capable of living much longer than humans. In between the two extremes is the hypothesis that the figures represent relative power, triumph or importance.  For example, in ancient Egypt, the phrase “he died aged 110” referred to someone who lived life to the full and who offered an important contribution to society.  In the same way, the extremely long periods of reign of the early kings may represent how incredibly important they were perceived as being in the eyes of the people. This doesn’t explain, however, why the periods of tenure later switched to realistic time periods. Related to this perspective is the belief that although the early kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicised. Finally, some scholars have sought to explain the figures through a mathematical investigation and interpretation (e.g. Harrison, 1993). Relation to Genesis Some scholars (e.g. Wood, 2003) have drawn attention to the fact that there are remarkable similarities between the Sumerian King List and accounts in Genesis.  For example, Genesis tells the story of ‘the great flood’ and Noah’s efforts to save all the species of animals on Earth from destruction.  Likewise, in the Sumerian King List, there is discussion of a great deluge: “the flood swept over the earth.” The Sumerian King List provides a list of eight kings (some versions have 10) who reigned for long periods of time before the flood, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200 years.  This is similar to Genesis 5, where the generations from Creation to the Flood are recorded. Interestingly, between Adam and Noah there are eight generations, just as there are eight kings between the beginning of kingship and the flood in the Sumerian King List. After the flood, the King List records kings who ruled for much shorter periods of time. Thus, the Sumerian King List not only documents a great flood early in man’s history, but it also reflects the same pattern of decreasing longevity as found in the Bible – men had extremely long life spans before the flood and much shorter life spans following the flood (Wood, 2003). The Sumerian King List truly is a perplexing mystery. Why would the Sumerians combine mythical rulers with actual historical rulers in one document? Why are there so many similarities with Genesis? Why were ancient kings described as ruling for thousands of years? These are just some of the questions that still remain unanswered after more than a century of research. By April Holloway References The Sumerian King List – University of Oxford Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Sumerian King List – by Bryant G. Wood The Sumerian king list: translation – The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature The Sumerian King List – by L.C. Geerts Reinvestigating the Antediluvian Sumerian King List – by R. K. Harrison The Sumerian King List – by Thorkild Jacobsen (The Oriental Institute of the University of California)               Section:  Artifacts Ancient Writings Myths & Legends Asia Tags:  Sumer Sumerian Sumerian King’s List mythical historical reign rulers Genesis Mesopotamia iraq Read the Comments(293 Comments) Sponsored Content Doctors Amazed: New Lung… AirPhysio Plus size black short sleeve… yoursclothinguk The Dating Site for… EliteSingles Sponsored 3/5 Skip Adskip_next Read More [Pics] Royal Family Confirms Unfortunate… xfreehub Diabetics: Here’s How to Lower Blood Sugar (It’s… Diabetes Freedom [Pics] Feral Kid from Mad Max 2… Habittribe [Gallery] Airline Refuses To Let… Trendscatchers At 75, Tom Selleck And His… Worldemand Quiz: 9 Out Of 10 People Can’t Name These Actors Quizscape [Gallery] Why You Should Never Buy Meat From Aldi https://www.wanderoam.com/ Experts Ranked The Best US… Cleverst Bonmarche Firm Control… BON MARCHE [Gallery] Grace Kelly’s… The Fashion Ball [Pics] The Most Beautiful Dress Kate Middleton… Interesticle Your IQ Is 142 If You Get 15/20 On This General… TooCool2BeTrue APRIL April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan. Joanna… Read More RELATED ARTICLES ON ANCIENT-ORIGINS 3 MAY, 2021 – 22:09 WILLEM MCLOUD Sumerian Etana Translated As Biblical Enoch The Biblical Enoch corresponds to a remarkable degree with the figure of Etana in Sumerian tradition. It seems reasonable to assume that they belong to the same original tradition handed down in the… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT SUMERIAN ETANA TRANSLATED AS BIBLICAL ENOCH 1 MARCH, 2021 – 13:58 NATHAN FALDE Is Jiroft Site in Iran a True Cradle of Civilization? Archaeologists are preparing to launch the third major excavation of an important site on the Jiroft plain , in the Halil River valley of southeastern Iran . The Konar Sandal remains were exposed… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT IS JIROFT SITE IN IRAN A TRUE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION? 14 JANUARY, 2021 – 23:08 SARAH P YOUNG Ancient Mesopotamia and the Rise of Civilization In ancient times, Mesopotamia, meaning ‘land between two rivers’, was a vast region that lay between the Tigris and Euphrates river systems, and it is where civilization emerged over 7,000 years ago… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA AND THE RISE OF CIVILIZATION 13 JANUARY, 2021 – 19:46 WILLEM MCLOUD Mighty Gilgamesh: Archetype Of The Nephilim Gilgamesh is one of the greatest heroes of the ancient Middle Eastern world. The epic named after him has become one of the greatest literary works of all ages. There is, however, one aspect of… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT MIGHTY GILGAMESH: ARCHETYPE OF THE NEPHILIM 8 MAY, 2020 – 18:45 BRYAN HILL The Rise and Fall of Sumer and Akkad The Sumerians were the first known people to settle in Mesopotamia over 7,000 years ago. Located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern day Iraq),… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT THE RISE AND FALL OF SUMER AND AKKAD 14 JULY, 2019 – 01:53 CALEB STROM ‘First Kings’ Myths From Around the World: How Do They Compare? Monarchs have always played a very important role in how their subjects form their cultural identity. Egypt, China, and the Sumerian city-states are examples of some of the oldest monarchies. The… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ‘FIRST KINGS’ MYTHS FROM AROUND THE WORLD: HOW DO THEY COMPARE? MOST READ TODAY The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory The Mysterious Disappearance of the Thomas Hume and its Dramatic Rediscovery Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! 7 Amazing Glimpses into the Ancient Lives of Children King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Eight Surprising Things You Should Know About the Celts Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More     Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Sign Up for Premium Ads-FREE Content   Sponsored Stories Thousands Being Compensated To Miners For Mis-Sold Pension Transfers Get Claims Advice (claims management company) Stop overpaying on your energy bills. Search Energy Price Comparison Sites Yahoo! Search (Forbes) [Pics] Always Place A Bag On Your Car Mirror When Traveling Alone, Here’s Why Beachraider Recommended by   VIRAL ARTICLES Legends(active tab) Technology Ancient Places Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo Plus size black butterfly print sleeveless top 30-32 Update your casual collection with this new-in top Made from a soft woven fabric it features a butterfly print with a scoop neckline and sleeveless design Partner with jeans and sandals for the per… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Ancient Origins has been quoted by: TOP NEW STORIES Dover Castle: The Key to England at the Gateway to Europe Dover Castle has been dubbed the “Key to England” due to its location at the frontline of defense. Dover has played an important role in Britain’s history, both as a trading port and as the gateway… Archaeologists Uncover Preserved Ancient Pottery Workshop in Egypt Italian Researchers CT Scan Egyptian Priest Mummy The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Rare “Divine” Ancient Fire Temple Found in Iran Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! MYTHS & LEGENDS Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo HUMAN ORIGINS King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Have King Solomon’s Mines really been discovered? Yes, indeed. In fact, they have been known about for centuries, and modern archaeological work on them started way back in the early 19th century… Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend Is There Scientific Evidence for the Exodus? Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Ancient Treasures – Part II Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet In Sivershchina, close to the village of Mizyn in Ukraine is one of the oldest and most unique settlements of humans – and it was discovered in a parking lot. The now well-known archaeological site, known plainly as the Mizyn parking lot, dates back 18-20 thousand years. Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? Medical Mystery of Usermontu: Why the Discovery of 2,600-Year-Old Knee Screw Left Experts Dumbfounded Philip’s Fountain: The Oldest Still-In-Use Hydraulic Work in the World Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! ANCIENT PLACES The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory In the center of America’s Four Corners Region, Chaco Canyon is an arid, desolate place, sprinkled with the occasional, lonely juniper tree, cactus, or sage bush. Hundreds of mysterious, ancient structures haunt this canyon and the entire region, meticulously aligned along the paths of the Sun, Moon, and constellation Orion. Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Remembering the Future: How Ancient Maya Agronomists Changed the Modern World Fakes and Controversy on the River Clyde: The Case of Dumbuck Crannog Craco: The Abandoned Medieval Ghost Town of Italy OPINION Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? A central concept in the novel The Sphinx Scrolls is whether a mummification technology has ever existed that could preserve someone for long periods and retain the potential to bring them back to life. Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? The Underwater City of Cuba: A New Theory on its Origins – Part I Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Mount Shasta: Mystery Mountain and Sacred Destination Atlantis: Examining the Legendary Tale of Plato OUR MISSION At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exist countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings.  ANCIENT IMAGE GALLERIES Ancient Origins © 2013 – 2021 Disclaimer – Terms of Publication – Privacy Policy & Cookies – Advertising Policy – Submissions – We Give Back – Contact us A project of Stella Novus – Development and Customization by Novus Web Solutions Skip to main content ABOUT LOGIN REGISTER LINKS MEDIA EVENTS FORUMS CONTACT MEMBERSHIP PREMIUM APP TOURS ANCESTRY DNA FREE EBOOKS MAGAZINE Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More All   NEWS HUMAN ORIGINS HISTORY ARTIFACTS MYTHS PLACES UNEXPLAINED OPINION PREMIUM SHOP General History & Archaeology Science & Space Evolution & Human Origins Mysterious Phenomena Home / News UPDATED 30 JANUARY, 2014 – 07:07 APRILHOLLOWAY The Sumerian King List still puzzles historians after more than a century of research READ LATER  PRINT Out of the many incredible artefacts that have been recovered from sites in Iraq where flourishing Sumerian cities once stood, few have been more intriguing than the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer (ancient southern Iraq) from Sumerian and neighbouring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of “official” kingship. What makes this artefact so unique is the fact that the list blends apparently mythical pre-dynastic rulers with historical rulers who are known to have existed.  The first fragment of this rare and unique text, a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet, was found in the early 1900s by German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht at the site of ancient Nippur and published in 1906.  Since Hilprecht’s discovery, at least 18 other exemplars of the king’s list have been found, most of them dating from the second half of the Isin dynasty (c. 2017-1794 BCE.).  No two of these documents are identical. However, there is enough common material in all versions of the list to make it clear that they are derived from a single, “ideal” account of Sumerian history. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Among all the examples of the Sumerian King List, the Weld-Blundell prism in the Ashmolean Museum cuneiform collection in Oxford represents the most extensive version as well as the most complete copy of the King List. The 8-inch-high prism contains four sides with two columns on each side. It is believed that it originally had a wooden spindle going through its centre so that it could be rotated and read on all four sides. It lists rulers from the antediluvian (“before the flood”) dynasties to the fourteenth ruler of the Isin dynasty (ca. 1763–1753 BC). The list is of immense value because it reflects very old traditions while at the same time providing an important chronological framework relating to the different periods of kingship in Sumeria, and even demonstrates remarkable parallels to accounts in Genesis. The ancient civilisation of Sumer Sumer (sometimes called Sumeria), is the site of the earliest known civilization, located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More By the 3 rd millennium BC, Sumer was the site of at least twelve separate city states: Kish, Erech, Ur,Sippar, Akshak, Larak, Nippur, Adab, Umma, Lagash, Bad-tibira, and  Larsa. Each of these states comprised a walled city and its surrounding villages and land, and each worshiped its own deity, whose temple was the central structure of the city. Political power originally belonged to the citizens, but, as rivalry between the various city-states increased, each adopted the institution of  kingship.  The Sumerian King List , records that eight kings reigned before a great flood. After the Flood, various city-states and their dynasties of kings temporarily gained power over the others.  Sumer’s mythical past The Sumerian King List begins with the very origin of kingship, which is seen as a divine institution: “the kingship had descended from heaven”.  The rulers in the earliest dynasties are represented as reigning fantastically long periods: After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years. Some of the rulers mentioned in the early list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda and Gilgamesh, are mythical or legendary figures whose heroic feats are subjects of a series of Sumerian and Babylonian narrative compositions. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More The early list names eight kings with a total of 241,200 years from the time when kingship “descended from heaven” to the time when “the Flood” swept over the land and once more “the kingship was lowered from heaven” after the Flood. Interpretation of long reigns The amazingly long tenure of the early kings has provoked many attempts at interpretation. At one extreme is the complete dismissal of the astronomically large figures as “completely artificial” and the view that they are unworthy of serious consideration.  At the other extreme, is the belief that the numbers have a basis in reality and that the early kings were indeed gods who were capable of living much longer than humans. In between the two extremes is the hypothesis that the figures represent relative power, triumph or importance.  For example, in ancient Egypt, the phrase “he died aged 110” referred to someone who lived life to the full and who offered an important contribution to society.  In the same way, the extremely long periods of reign of the early kings may represent how incredibly important they were perceived as being in the eyes of the people. This doesn’t explain, however, why the periods of tenure later switched to realistic time periods. Related to this perspective is the belief that although the early kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicised. Finally, some scholars have sought to explain the figures through a mathematical investigation and interpretation (e.g. Harrison, 1993). Relation to Genesis Some scholars (e.g. Wood, 2003) have drawn attention to the fact that there are remarkable similarities between the Sumerian King List and accounts in Genesis.  For example, Genesis tells the story of ‘the great flood’ and Noah’s efforts to save all the species of animals on Earth from destruction.  Likewise, in the Sumerian King List, there is discussion of a great deluge: “the flood swept over the earth.” The Sumerian King List provides a list of eight kings (some versions have 10) who reigned for long periods of time before the flood, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200 years.  This is similar to Genesis 5, where the generations from Creation to the Flood are recorded. Interestingly, between Adam and Noah there are eight generations, just as there are eight kings between the beginning of kingship and the flood in the Sumerian King List. After the flood, the King List records kings who ruled for much shorter periods of time. Thus, the Sumerian King List not only documents a great flood early in man’s history, but it also reflects the same pattern of decreasing longevity as found in the Bible – men had extremely long life spans before the flood and much shorter life spans following the flood (Wood, 2003). The Sumerian King List truly is a perplexing mystery. Why would the Sumerians combine mythical rulers with actual historical rulers in one document? Why are there so many similarities with Genesis? Why were ancient kings described as ruling for thousands of years? These are just some of the questions that still remain unanswered after more than a century of research. By April Holloway References The Sumerian King List – University of Oxford Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Sumerian King List – by Bryant G. Wood The Sumerian king list: translation – The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature The Sumerian King List – by L.C. Geerts Reinvestigating the Antediluvian Sumerian King List – by R. K. Harrison The Sumerian King List – by Thorkild Jacobsen (The Oriental Institute of the University of California)               Section:  Artifacts Ancient Writings Myths & Legends Asia Tags:  Sumer Sumerian Sumerian King’s List mythical historical reign rulers Genesis Mesopotamia iraq Read the Comments(293 Comments) Sponsored Content Doctors Amazed: New Lung… AirPhysio Plus size black short sleeve… yoursclothinguk The Dating Site for… EliteSingles Sponsored 1/5 How the CLOUD Act may affect your data… IONOS cloud Read More [Pics] Royal Family Confirms Unfortunate… xfreehub Diabetics: Here’s How to Lower Blood Sugar (It’s… Diabetes Freedom [Pics] Feral Kid from Mad Max 2… Habittribe [Gallery] Airline Refuses To Let… Trendscatchers At 75, Tom Selleck And His… Worldemand Quiz: 9 Out Of 10 People Can’t Name These Actors Quizscape [Gallery] Why You Should Never Buy Meat From Aldi https://www.wanderoam.com/ Experts Ranked The Best US… Cleverst Bonmarche Firm Control… BON MARCHE [Gallery] Grace Kelly’s… The Fashion Ball [Pics] The Most Beautiful Dress Kate Middleton… Interesticle Your IQ Is 142 If You Get 15/20 On This General… TooCool2BeTrue APRIL April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan. Joanna… Read More RELATED ARTICLES ON ANCIENT-ORIGINS 3 MAY, 2021 – 22:09 WILLEM MCLOUD Sumerian Etana Translated As Biblical Enoch The Biblical Enoch corresponds to a remarkable degree with the figure of Etana in Sumerian tradition. It seems reasonable to assume that they belong to the same original tradition handed down in the… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT SUMERIAN ETANA TRANSLATED AS BIBLICAL ENOCH 1 MARCH, 2021 – 13:58 NATHAN FALDE Is Jiroft Site in Iran a True Cradle of Civilization? Archaeologists are preparing to launch the third major excavation of an important site on the Jiroft plain , in the Halil River valley of southeastern Iran . The Konar Sandal remains were exposed… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT IS JIROFT SITE IN IRAN A TRUE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION? 14 JANUARY, 2021 – 23:08 SARAH P YOUNG Ancient Mesopotamia and the Rise of Civilization In ancient times, Mesopotamia, meaning ‘land between two rivers’, was a vast region that lay between the Tigris and Euphrates river systems, and it is where civilization emerged over 7,000 years ago… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA AND THE RISE OF CIVILIZATION 13 JANUARY, 2021 – 19:46 WILLEM MCLOUD Mighty Gilgamesh: Archetype Of The Nephilim Gilgamesh is one of the greatest heroes of the ancient Middle Eastern world. The epic named after him has become one of the greatest literary works of all ages. There is, however, one aspect of… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT MIGHTY GILGAMESH: ARCHETYPE OF THE NEPHILIM 8 MAY, 2020 – 18:45 BRYAN HILL The Rise and Fall of Sumer and Akkad The Sumerians were the first known people to settle in Mesopotamia over 7,000 years ago. Located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern day Iraq),… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT THE RISE AND FALL OF SUMER AND AKKAD 14 JULY, 2019 – 01:53 CALEB STROM ‘First Kings’ Myths From Around the World: How Do They Compare? Monarchs have always played a very important role in how their subjects form their cultural identity. Egypt, China, and the Sumerian city-states are examples of some of the oldest monarchies. The… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ‘FIRST KINGS’ MYTHS FROM AROUND THE WORLD: HOW DO THEY COMPARE? MOST READ TODAY The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory The Mysterious Disappearance of the Thomas Hume and its Dramatic Rediscovery Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! 7 Amazing Glimpses into the Ancient Lives of Children King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Eight Surprising Things You Should Know About the Celts Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More     Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Sign Up for Premium Ads-FREE Content   Sponsored Stories Thousands Being Compensated To Miners For Mis-Sold Pension Transfers Get Claims Advice (claims management company) Stop overpaying on your energy bills. Search Energy Price Comparison Sites Yahoo! Search (Forbes) [Pics] Always Place A Bag On Your Car Mirror When Traveling Alone, Here’s Why Beachraider Recommended by   VIRAL ARTICLES Legends(active tab) Technology Ancient Places Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo Plus size black butterfly print sleeveless top 30-32 Update your casual collection with this new-in top Made from a soft woven fabric it features a butterfly print with a scoop neckline and sleeveless design Partner with jeans and sandals for the per… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Ancient Origins has been quoted by: TOP NEW STORIES Dover Castle: The Key to England at the Gateway to Europe Dover Castle has been dubbed the “Key to England” due to its location at the frontline of defense. Dover has played an important role in Britain’s history, both as a trading port and as the gateway… Archaeologists Uncover Preserved Ancient Pottery Workshop in Egypt Italian Researchers CT Scan Egyptian Priest Mummy The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Rare “Divine” Ancient Fire Temple Found in Iran Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! MYTHS & LEGENDS Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo HUMAN ORIGINS King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Have King Solomon’s Mines really been discovered? Yes, indeed. In fact, they have been known about for centuries, and modern archaeological work on them started way back in the early 19th century… Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend Is There Scientific Evidence for the Exodus? Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Ancient Treasures – Part II Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet In Sivershchina, close to the village of Mizyn in Ukraine is one of the oldest and most unique settlements of humans – and it was discovered in a parking lot. The now well-known archaeological site, known plainly as the Mizyn parking lot, dates back 18-20 thousand years. Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? Medical Mystery of Usermontu: Why the Discovery of 2,600-Year-Old Knee Screw Left Experts Dumbfounded Philip’s Fountain: The Oldest Still-In-Use Hydraulic Work in the World Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! ANCIENT PLACES The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory In the center of America’s Four Corners Region, Chaco Canyon is an arid, desolate place, sprinkled with the occasional, lonely juniper tree, cactus, or sage bush. Hundreds of mysterious, ancient structures haunt this canyon and the entire region, meticulously aligned along the paths of the Sun, Moon, and constellation Orion. Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Remembering the Future: How Ancient Maya Agronomists Changed the Modern World Fakes and Controversy on the River Clyde: The Case of Dumbuck Crannog Craco: The Abandoned Medieval Ghost Town of Italy OPINION Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? A central concept in the novel The Sphinx Scrolls is whether a mummification technology has ever existed that could preserve someone for long periods and retain the potential to bring them back to life. Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? The Underwater City of Cuba: A New Theory on its Origins – Part I Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Mount Shasta: Mystery Mountain and Sacred Destination Atlantis: Examining the Legendary Tale of Plato OUR MISSION At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exist countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings.  ANCIENT IMAGE GALLERIES Ancient Origins © 2013 – 2021 Disclaimer – Terms of Publication – Privacy Policy & Cookies – Advertising Policy – Submissions – We Give Back – Contact us A project of Stella Novus – Development and Customization by Novus Web Solutions ShareThis Copy and Paste Skip to main content ABOUT LOGIN REGISTER LINKS MEDIA EVENTS FORUMS CONTACT MEMBERSHIP PREMIUM APP TOURS ANCESTRY DNA FREE EBOOKS MAGAZINE Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More All   NEWS HUMAN ORIGINS HISTORY ARTIFACTS MYTHS PLACES UNEXPLAINED OPINION PREMIUM SHOP General History & Archaeology Science & Space Evolution & Human Origins Mysterious Phenomena Home / News UPDATED 30 JANUARY, 2014 – 07:07 APRILHOLLOWAY The Sumerian King List still puzzles historians after more than a century of research READ LATER  PRINT Out of the many incredible artefacts that have been recovered from sites in Iraq where flourishing Sumerian cities once stood, few have been more intriguing than the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer (ancient southern Iraq) from Sumerian and neighbouring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of “official” kingship. What makes this artefact so unique is the fact that the list blends apparently mythical pre-dynastic rulers with historical rulers who are known to have existed.  The first fragment of this rare and unique text, a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet, was found in the early 1900s by German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht at the site of ancient Nippur and published in 1906.  Since Hilprecht’s discovery, at least 18 other exemplars of the king’s list have been found, most of them dating from the second half of the Isin dynasty (c. 2017-1794 BCE.).  No two of these documents are identical. However, there is enough common material in all versions of the list to make it clear that they are derived from a single, “ideal” account of Sumerian history. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Among all the examples of the Sumerian King List, the Weld-Blundell prism in the Ashmolean Museum cuneiform collection in Oxford represents the most extensive version as well as the most complete copy of the King List. The 8-inch-high prism contains four sides with two columns on each side. It is believed that it originally had a wooden spindle going through its centre so that it could be rotated and read on all four sides. It lists rulers from the antediluvian (“before the flood”) dynasties to the fourteenth ruler of the Isin dynasty (ca. 1763–1753 BC). The list is of immense value because it reflects very old traditions while at the same time providing an important chronological framework relating to the different periods of kingship in Sumeria, and even demonstrates remarkable parallels to accounts in Genesis. The ancient civilisation of Sumer Sumer (sometimes called Sumeria), is the site of the earliest known civilization, located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More By the 3 rd millennium BC, Sumer was the site of at least twelve separate city states: Kish, Erech, Ur,Sippar, Akshak, Larak, Nippur, Adab, Umma, Lagash, Bad-tibira, and  Larsa. Each of these states comprised a walled city and its surrounding villages and land, and each worshiped its own deity, whose temple was the central structure of the city. Political power originally belonged to the citizens, but, as rivalry between the various city-states increased, each adopted the institution of  kingship.  The Sumerian King List , records that eight kings reigned before a great flood. After the Flood, various city-states and their dynasties of kings temporarily gained power over the others.  Sumer’s mythical past The Sumerian King List begins with the very origin of kingship, which is seen as a divine institution: “the kingship had descended from heaven”.  The rulers in the earliest dynasties are represented as reigning fantastically long periods: After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years. Some of the rulers mentioned in the early list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda and Gilgamesh, are mythical or legendary figures whose heroic feats are subjects of a series of Sumerian and Babylonian narrative compositions. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More The early list names eight kings with a total of 241,200 years from the time when kingship “descended from heaven” to the time when “the Flood” swept over the land and once more “the kingship was lowered from heaven” after the Flood. Interpretation of long reigns The amazingly long tenure of the early kings has provoked many attempts at interpretation. At one extreme is the complete dismissal of the astronomically large figures as “completely artificial” and the view that they are unworthy of serious consideration.  At the other extreme, is the belief that the numbers have a basis in reality and that the early kings were indeed gods who were capable of living much longer than humans. In between the two extremes is the hypothesis that the figures represent relative power, triumph or importance.  For example, in ancient Egypt, the phrase “he died aged 110” referred to someone who lived life to the full and who offered an important contribution to society.  In the same way, the extremely long periods of reign of the early kings may represent how incredibly important they were perceived as being in the eyes of the people. This doesn’t explain, however, why the periods of tenure later switched to realistic time periods. Related to this perspective is the belief that although the early kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicised. Finally, some scholars have sought to explain the figures through a mathematical investigation and interpretation (e.g. Harrison, 1993). Relation to Genesis Some scholars (e.g. Wood, 2003) have drawn attention to the fact that there are remarkable similarities between the Sumerian King List and accounts in Genesis.  For example, Genesis tells the story of ‘the great flood’ and Noah’s efforts to save all the species of animals on Earth from destruction.  Likewise, in the Sumerian King List, there is discussion of a great deluge: “the flood swept over the earth.” The Sumerian King List provides a list of eight kings (some versions have 10) who reigned for long periods of time before the flood, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200 years.  This is similar to Genesis 5, where the generations from Creation to the Flood are recorded. Interestingly, between Adam and Noah there are eight generations, just as there are eight kings between the beginning of kingship and the flood in the Sumerian King List. After the flood, the King List records kings who ruled for much shorter periods of time. Thus, the Sumerian King List not only documents a great flood early in man’s history, but it also reflects the same pattern of decreasing longevity as found in the Bible – men had extremely long life spans before the flood and much shorter life spans following the flood (Wood, 2003). The Sumerian King List truly is a perplexing mystery. Why would the Sumerians combine mythical rulers with actual historical rulers in one document? Why are there so many similarities with Genesis? Why were ancient kings described as ruling for thousands of years? These are just some of the questions that still remain unanswered after more than a century of research. By April Holloway References The Sumerian King List – University of Oxford Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Sumerian King List – by Bryant G. Wood The Sumerian king list: translation – The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature The Sumerian King List – by L.C. Geerts Reinvestigating the Antediluvian Sumerian King List – by R. K. Harrison The Sumerian King List – by Thorkild Jacobsen (The Oriental Institute of the University of California)               Section:  Artifacts Ancient Writings Myths & Legends Asia Tags:  Sumer Sumerian Sumerian King’s List mythical historical reign rulers Genesis Mesopotamia iraq Read the Comments(293 Comments) Sponsored Content Doctors Amazed: New Lung… AirPhysio Plus size black short sleeve… yoursclothinguk The Dating Site for… EliteSingles Sponsored 1/5 How the CLOUD Act may affect your data… IONOS cloud Read More [Pics] Royal Family Confirms Unfortunate… xfreehub Diabetics: Here’s How to Lower Blood Sugar (It’s… Diabetes Freedom [Pics] Feral Kid from Mad Max 2… Habittribe [Gallery] Airline Refuses To Let… Trendscatchers At 75, Tom Selleck And His… Worldemand Quiz: 9 Out Of 10 People Can’t Name These Actors Quizscape [Gallery] Why You Should Never Buy Meat From Aldi https://www.wanderoam.com/ Experts Ranked The Best US… Cleverst Bonmarche Firm Control… BON MARCHE [Gallery] Grace Kelly’s… The Fashion Ball [Pics] The Most Beautiful Dress Kate Middleton… Interesticle Your IQ Is 142 If You Get 15/20 On This General… TooCool2BeTrue APRIL April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan. Joanna… Read More RELATED ARTICLES ON ANCIENT-ORIGINS 3 MAY, 2021 – 22:09 WILLEM MCLOUD Sumerian Etana Translated As Biblical Enoch The Biblical Enoch corresponds to a remarkable degree with the figure of Etana in Sumerian tradition. It seems reasonable to assume that they belong to the same original tradition handed down in the… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT SUMERIAN ETANA TRANSLATED AS BIBLICAL ENOCH 1 MARCH, 2021 – 13:58 NATHAN FALDE Is Jiroft Site in Iran a True Cradle of Civilization? Archaeologists are preparing to launch the third major excavation of an important site on the Jiroft plain , in the Halil River valley of southeastern Iran . The Konar Sandal remains were exposed… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT IS JIROFT SITE IN IRAN A TRUE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION? 14 JANUARY, 2021 – 23:08 SARAH P YOUNG Ancient Mesopotamia and the Rise of Civilization In ancient times, Mesopotamia, meaning ‘land between two rivers’, was a vast region that lay between the Tigris and Euphrates river systems, and it is where civilization emerged over 7,000 years ago… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA AND THE RISE OF CIVILIZATION 13 JANUARY, 2021 – 19:46 WILLEM MCLOUD Mighty Gilgamesh: Archetype Of The Nephilim Gilgamesh is one of the greatest heroes of the ancient Middle Eastern world. The epic named after him has become one of the greatest literary works of all ages. There is, however, one aspect of… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT MIGHTY GILGAMESH: ARCHETYPE OF THE NEPHILIM 8 MAY, 2020 – 18:45 BRYAN HILL The Rise and Fall of Sumer and Akkad The Sumerians were the first known people to settle in Mesopotamia over 7,000 years ago. Located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern day Iraq),… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT THE RISE AND FALL OF SUMER AND AKKAD 14 JULY, 2019 – 01:53 CALEB STROM ‘First Kings’ Myths From Around the World: How Do They Compare? Monarchs have always played a very important role in how their subjects form their cultural identity. Egypt, China, and the Sumerian city-states are examples of some of the oldest monarchies. The… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ‘FIRST KINGS’ MYTHS FROM AROUND THE WORLD: HOW DO THEY COMPARE? MOST READ TODAY The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory The Mysterious Disappearance of the Thomas Hume and its Dramatic Rediscovery Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! 7 Amazing Glimpses into the Ancient Lives of Children King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Eight Surprising Things You Should Know About the Celts Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More     Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Sign Up for Premium Ads-FREE Content   Sponsored Stories Thousands Being Compensated To Miners For Mis-Sold Pension Transfers Get Claims Advice (claims management company) Stop overpaying on your energy bills. Search Energy Price Comparison Sites Yahoo! Search (Forbes) [Pics] Always Place A Bag On Your Car Mirror When Traveling Alone, Here’s Why Beachraider Recommended by   VIRAL ARTICLES Legends(active tab) Technology Ancient Places Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo Plus size black butterfly print sleeveless top 30-32 Update your casual collection with this new-in top Made from a soft woven fabric it features a butterfly print with a scoop neckline and sleeveless design Partner with jeans and sandals for the per… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Ancient Origins has been quoted by: TOP NEW STORIES Dover Castle: The Key to England at the Gateway to Europe Dover Castle has been dubbed the “Key to England” due to its location at the frontline of defense. Dover has played an important role in Britain’s history, both as a trading port and as the gateway… Archaeologists Uncover Preserved Ancient Pottery Workshop in Egypt Italian Researchers CT Scan Egyptian Priest Mummy The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Rare “Divine” Ancient Fire Temple Found in Iran Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! MYTHS & LEGENDS Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo HUMAN ORIGINS King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Have King Solomon’s Mines really been discovered? Yes, indeed. In fact, they have been known about for centuries, and modern archaeological work on them started way back in the early 19th century… Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend Is There Scientific Evidence for the Exodus? Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Ancient Treasures – Part II Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet In Sivershchina, close to the village of Mizyn in Ukraine is one of the oldest and most unique settlements of humans – and it was discovered in a parking lot. The now well-known archaeological site, known plainly as the Mizyn parking lot, dates back 18-20 thousand years. Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? Medical Mystery of Usermontu: Why the Discovery of 2,600-Year-Old Knee Screw Left Experts Dumbfounded Philip’s Fountain: The Oldest Still-In-Use Hydraulic Work in the World Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! ANCIENT PLACES The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory In the center of America’s Four Corners Region, Chaco Canyon is an arid, desolate place, sprinkled with the occasional, lonely juniper tree, cactus, or sage bush. Hundreds of mysterious, ancient structures haunt this canyon and the entire region, meticulously aligned along the paths of the Sun, Moon, and constellation Orion. Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Remembering the Future: How Ancient Maya Agronomists Changed the Modern World Fakes and Controversy on the River Clyde: The Case of Dumbuck Crannog Craco: The Abandoned Medieval Ghost Town of Italy OPINION Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? A central concept in the novel The Sphinx Scrolls is whether a mummification technology has ever existed that could preserve someone for long periods and retain the potential to bring them back to life. Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? The Underwater City of Cuba: A New Theory on its Origins – Part I Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Mount Shasta: Mystery Mountain and Sacred Destination Atlantis: Examining the Legendary Tale of Plato OUR MISSION At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exist countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings.  ANCIENT IMAGE GALLERIES Ancient Origins © 2013 – 2021 Disclaimer – Terms of Publication – Privacy Policy & Cookies – Advertising Policy – Submissions – We Give Back – Contact us A project of Stella Novus – Development and Customization by Novus Web Solutions Skip to main content ABOUT LOGIN REGISTER LINKS MEDIA EVENTS FORUMS CONTACT MEMBERSHIP PREMIUM APP TOURS ANCESTRY DNA FREE EBOOKS MAGAZINE Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More All   NEWS HUMAN ORIGINS HISTORY ARTIFACTS MYTHS PLACES UNEXPLAINED OPINION PREMIUM SHOP General History & Archaeology Science & Space Evolution & Human Origins Mysterious Phenomena Home / News UPDATED 30 JANUARY, 2014 – 07:07 APRILHOLLOWAY The Sumerian King List still puzzles historians after more than a century of research READ LATER  PRINT Out of the many incredible artefacts that have been recovered from sites in Iraq where flourishing Sumerian cities once stood, few have been more intriguing than the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript originally recorded in the Sumerian language, listing kings of Sumer (ancient southern Iraq) from Sumerian and neighbouring dynasties, their supposed reign lengths, and the locations of “official” kingship. What makes this artefact so unique is the fact that the list blends apparently mythical pre-dynastic rulers with historical rulers who are known to have existed.  The first fragment of this rare and unique text, a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet, was found in the early 1900s by German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht at the site of ancient Nippur and published in 1906.  Since Hilprecht’s discovery, at least 18 other exemplars of the king’s list have been found, most of them dating from the second half of the Isin dynasty (c. 2017-1794 BCE.).  No two of these documents are identical. However, there is enough common material in all versions of the list to make it clear that they are derived from a single, “ideal” account of Sumerian history. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Among all the examples of the Sumerian King List, the Weld-Blundell prism in the Ashmolean Museum cuneiform collection in Oxford represents the most extensive version as well as the most complete copy of the King List. The 8-inch-high prism contains four sides with two columns on each side. It is believed that it originally had a wooden spindle going through its centre so that it could be rotated and read on all four sides. It lists rulers from the antediluvian (“before the flood”) dynasties to the fourteenth ruler of the Isin dynasty (ca. 1763–1753 BC). The list is of immense value because it reflects very old traditions while at the same time providing an important chronological framework relating to the different periods of kingship in Sumeria, and even demonstrates remarkable parallels to accounts in Genesis. The ancient civilisation of Sumer Sumer (sometimes called Sumeria), is the site of the earliest known civilization, located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More By the 3 rd millennium BC, Sumer was the site of at least twelve separate city states: Kish, Erech, Ur,Sippar, Akshak, Larak, Nippur, Adab, Umma, Lagash, Bad-tibira, and  Larsa. Each of these states comprised a walled city and its surrounding villages and land, and each worshiped its own deity, whose temple was the central structure of the city. Political power originally belonged to the citizens, but, as rivalry between the various city-states increased, each adopted the institution of  kingship.  The Sumerian King List , records that eight kings reigned before a great flood. After the Flood, various city-states and their dynasties of kings temporarily gained power over the others.  Sumer’s mythical past The Sumerian King List begins with the very origin of kingship, which is seen as a divine institution: “the kingship had descended from heaven”.  The rulers in the earliest dynasties are represented as reigning fantastically long periods: After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for 36000 years. 2 kings; they ruled for 64800 years. Some of the rulers mentioned in the early list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda and Gilgamesh, are mythical or legendary figures whose heroic feats are subjects of a series of Sumerian and Babylonian narrative compositions. Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More The early list names eight kings with a total of 241,200 years from the time when kingship “descended from heaven” to the time when “the Flood” swept over the land and once more “the kingship was lowered from heaven” after the Flood. Interpretation of long reigns The amazingly long tenure of the early kings has provoked many attempts at interpretation. At one extreme is the complete dismissal of the astronomically large figures as “completely artificial” and the view that they are unworthy of serious consideration.  At the other extreme, is the belief that the numbers have a basis in reality and that the early kings were indeed gods who were capable of living much longer than humans. In between the two extremes is the hypothesis that the figures represent relative power, triumph or importance.  For example, in ancient Egypt, the phrase “he died aged 110” referred to someone who lived life to the full and who offered an important contribution to society.  In the same way, the extremely long periods of reign of the early kings may represent how incredibly important they were perceived as being in the eyes of the people. This doesn’t explain, however, why the periods of tenure later switched to realistic time periods. Related to this perspective is the belief that although the early kings are historically unattested, this does not preclude their possible correspondence with historical rulers who were later mythicised. Finally, some scholars have sought to explain the figures through a mathematical investigation and interpretation (e.g. Harrison, 1993). Relation to Genesis Some scholars (e.g. Wood, 2003) have drawn attention to the fact that there are remarkable similarities between the Sumerian King List and accounts in Genesis.  For example, Genesis tells the story of ‘the great flood’ and Noah’s efforts to save all the species of animals on Earth from destruction.  Likewise, in the Sumerian King List, there is discussion of a great deluge: “the flood swept over the earth.” The Sumerian King List provides a list of eight kings (some versions have 10) who reigned for long periods of time before the flood, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200 years.  This is similar to Genesis 5, where the generations from Creation to the Flood are recorded. Interestingly, between Adam and Noah there are eight generations, just as there are eight kings between the beginning of kingship and the flood in the Sumerian King List. After the flood, the King List records kings who ruled for much shorter periods of time. Thus, the Sumerian King List not only documents a great flood early in man’s history, but it also reflects the same pattern of decreasing longevity as found in the Bible – men had extremely long life spans before the flood and much shorter life spans following the flood (Wood, 2003). The Sumerian King List truly is a perplexing mystery. Why would the Sumerians combine mythical rulers with actual historical rulers in one document? Why are there so many similarities with Genesis? Why were ancient kings described as ruling for thousands of years? These are just some of the questions that still remain unanswered after more than a century of research. By April Holloway References The Sumerian King List – University of Oxford Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Sumerian King List – by Bryant G. Wood The Sumerian king list: translation – The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature The Sumerian King List – by L.C. Geerts Reinvestigating the Antediluvian Sumerian King List – by R. K. Harrison The Sumerian King List – by Thorkild Jacobsen (The Oriental Institute of the University of California)               Section:  Artifacts Ancient Writings Myths & Legends Asia Tags:  Sumer Sumerian Sumerian King’s List mythical historical reign rulers Genesis Mesopotamia iraq Read the Comments(293 Comments) Sponsored Content Doctors Amazed: New Lung… AirPhysio Plus size black short sleeve… yoursclothinguk The Dating Site for… EliteSingles Sponsored 1/5 How the CLOUD Act may affect your data… IONOS cloud Read More [Pics] Royal Family Confirms Unfortunate… xfreehub Diabetics: Here’s How to Lower Blood Sugar (It’s… Diabetes Freedom [Pics] Feral Kid from Mad Max 2… Habittribe [Gallery] Airline Refuses To Let… Trendscatchers At 75, Tom Selleck And His… Worldemand Quiz: 9 Out Of 10 People Can’t Name These Actors Quizscape [Gallery] Why You Should Never Buy Meat From Aldi https://www.wanderoam.com/ Experts Ranked The Best US… Cleverst Bonmarche Firm Control… BON MARCHE [Gallery] Grace Kelly’s… The Fashion Ball [Pics] The Most Beautiful Dress Kate Middleton… Interesticle Your IQ Is 142 If You Get 15/20 On This General… TooCool2BeTrue APRIL April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan. Joanna… Read More RELATED ARTICLES ON ANCIENT-ORIGINS 3 MAY, 2021 – 22:09 WILLEM MCLOUD Sumerian Etana Translated As Biblical Enoch The Biblical Enoch corresponds to a remarkable degree with the figure of Etana in Sumerian tradition. It seems reasonable to assume that they belong to the same original tradition handed down in the… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT SUMERIAN ETANA TRANSLATED AS BIBLICAL ENOCH 1 MARCH, 2021 – 13:58 NATHAN FALDE Is Jiroft Site in Iran a True Cradle of Civilization? Archaeologists are preparing to launch the third major excavation of an important site on the Jiroft plain , in the Halil River valley of southeastern Iran . The Konar Sandal remains were exposed… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT IS JIROFT SITE IN IRAN A TRUE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION? 14 JANUARY, 2021 – 23:08 SARAH P YOUNG Ancient Mesopotamia and the Rise of Civilization In ancient times, Mesopotamia, meaning ‘land between two rivers’, was a vast region that lay between the Tigris and Euphrates river systems, and it is where civilization emerged over 7,000 years ago… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA AND THE RISE OF CIVILIZATION 13 JANUARY, 2021 – 19:46 WILLEM MCLOUD Mighty Gilgamesh: Archetype Of The Nephilim Gilgamesh is one of the greatest heroes of the ancient Middle Eastern world. The epic named after him has become one of the greatest literary works of all ages. There is, however, one aspect of… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT MIGHTY GILGAMESH: ARCHETYPE OF THE NEPHILIM 8 MAY, 2020 – 18:45 BRYAN HILL The Rise and Fall of Sumer and Akkad The Sumerians were the first known people to settle in Mesopotamia over 7,000 years ago. Located in the southernmost part of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern day Iraq),… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT THE RISE AND FALL OF SUMER AND AKKAD 14 JULY, 2019 – 01:53 CALEB STROM ‘First Kings’ Myths From Around the World: How Do They Compare? Monarchs have always played a very important role in how their subjects form their cultural identity. Egypt, China, and the Sumerian city-states are examples of some of the oldest monarchies. The… READ LATER   READ MOREABOUT ‘FIRST KINGS’ MYTHS FROM AROUND THE WORLD: HOW DO THEY COMPARE? MOST READ TODAY The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory The Mysterious Disappearance of the Thomas Hume and its Dramatic Rediscovery Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! 7 Amazing Glimpses into the Ancient Lives of Children King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Eight Surprising Things You Should Know About the Celts Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More     Plus size black short sleeve cardigan 26-28 Layering nbsp made easy with this black short sleeve cardigan Made from a textured knit fabric with a slight stretch for comfortable wear it nbsp lightweight in design and feature subtle side split… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Sign Up for Premium Ads-FREE Content   Sponsored Stories Thousands Being Compensated To Miners For Mis-Sold Pension Transfers Get Claims Advice (claims management company) Stop overpaying on your energy bills. Search Energy Price Comparison Sites Yahoo! Search (Forbes) [Pics] Always Place A Bag On Your Car Mirror When Traveling Alone, Here’s Why Beachraider Recommended by   VIRAL ARTICLES Legends(active tab) Technology Ancient Places Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo Plus size black butterfly print sleeveless top 30-32 Update your casual collection with this new-in top Made from a soft woven fabric it features a butterfly print with a scoop neckline and sleeveless design Partner with jeans and sandals for the per… Ad By yoursclothinguk See More Ancient Origins has been quoted by: TOP NEW STORIES Dover Castle: The Key to England at the Gateway to Europe Dover Castle has been dubbed the “Key to England” due to its location at the frontline of defense. Dover has played an important role in Britain’s history, both as a trading port and as the gateway… Archaeologists Uncover Preserved Ancient Pottery Workshop in Egypt Italian Researchers CT Scan Egyptian Priest Mummy The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Rare “Divine” Ancient Fire Temple Found in Iran Tomb of Olympias, Alexander The Great’s Mother, Found! MYTHS & LEGENDS Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend There is no doubt that most of us, in our childhoods and later in life, heard all about the stories and legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? The Dogon’s Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo HUMAN ORIGINS King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Kings and Pharaohs – Part I Have King Solomon’s Mines really been discovered? Yes, indeed. In fact, they have been known about for centuries, and modern archaeological work on them started way back in the early 19th century… Sir Lancelot: Exploring the History Behind the Legend Is There Scientific Evidence for the Exodus? Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? King Solomon’s Mines Discovered: Ancient Treasures – Part II Was the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton in Fact the Father of Modern Monotheism? ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet In Sivershchina, close to the village of Mizyn in Ukraine is one of the oldest and most unique settlements of humans – and it was discovered in a parking lot. The now well-known archaeological site, known plainly as the Mizyn parking lot, dates back 18-20 thousand years. Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? Medical Mystery of Usermontu: Why the Discovery of 2,600-Year-Old Knee Screw Left Experts Dumbfounded Philip’s Fountain: The Oldest Still-In-Use Hydraulic Work in the World Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! ANCIENT PLACES The Collapse of Chaco Canyon: Recent Study Challenges Drought Theory In the center of America’s Four Corners Region, Chaco Canyon is an arid, desolate place, sprinkled with the occasional, lonely juniper tree, cactus, or sage bush. Hundreds of mysterious, ancient structures haunt this canyon and the entire region, meticulously aligned along the paths of the Sun, Moon, and constellation Orion. Surprising Stone Age Knowledge Revealed on a Mammoth Bone Bracelet The Leshan Giant Buddha: Largest Stone Buddha in the World Remembering the Future: How Ancient Maya Agronomists Changed the Modern World Fakes and Controversy on the River Clyde: The Case of Dumbuck Crannog Craco: The Abandoned Medieval Ghost Town of Italy OPINION Did Egyptian Mummification Descend from a More Ancient and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique? A central concept in the novel The Sphinx Scrolls is whether a mummification technology has ever existed that could preserve someone for long periods and retain the potential to bring them back to life. Mysterious GodSelf Icon Found Worldwide: Lost Symbol of an Ancient Global Religion? The Underwater City of Cuba: A New Theory on its Origins – Part I Thoth’s Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Mount Shasta: Mystery Mountain and Sacred Destination Atlantis: Examining the Legendary Tale of Plato OUR MISSION At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exist countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings.  ANCIENT IMAGE GALLERIES Ancient Origins © 2013 – 2021 Disclaimer – Terms of Publication – Privacy Policy & Cookies – Advertising Policy – Submissions – We Give Back – Contact us A project of Stella Novus – Development and Customization by Novus Web Solutions ShareThis Copy and Paste

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