Mesopotamian Flood Story

Read while you listen

The story of the flood is confirmed by the Mesopotamian account etched into the Gilgamesh Epic Tablet number 11, which is on display at the British Museum.

“ When the seventh day arrived I sent forth a dove and released it. The dove went off, but came back to me; no perch was visible so it circled back to me. I sent forth a swallow and released it. The swallow went off, but came back to me; no perch was visible so it circled back to me. I sent forth a raven and released it. The raven went off, and saw the waters slither back. It eats, it scratches, it bobs, but does not circle back to me."

Gilgamesh Epic Tablet XI
The British Museum, London
© The Trustees of the British Museum

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Overview

Gilgamesh Epic Tablet XI

“When a seventh day arrived, I sent forth a dove and released it. The dove went off but came back to me; no perch was visible, so it circled back to me.

I sent forth a swallow and released it. The swallow went off but came back to me; no perch was visible, so it circled back to me.

I sent forth a raven and released it. The raven went off and saw the waters slither back. It eats, it scratches, it bobs, but does not circle back to me."