The Original Flood story....

Very interesting, thanks

So you would have me believe that this writing is the oldest, What about the writings that came before this, or did they just suddenly pick up a stick and write this in a mud pad with all the style, form and determination needed to create such a work.
From the style and skill of the creation I would say there are many works that were created before this. To compose a whole story like this takes a lot of practice.
There is older writings- we just may never find them.

I believe the claim is that it is the oldest written story we have (yet). Not the oldest writing. Writing was used for keeping records, trade and even correspondence I believe by the Sumerians, but this is the earliest known "story" written down apparently.

Exactly John.

Yes, But Imagine the wrinkled tablets that came before it.
Well, with clay I guess you just rub it out and start over. I was thinking of the waste basket that led up to this story.
I wonder if there is a way to read what is under the current story - You know the "oops" parts?

I mean, it had to be edited right? I doubt the author just crammed it all down one time perfectly ready to dry. I'm sure he did a spell-check or two at least.

Stories before writing were remembered as rhymes by storytellers. Gilgamesh was a national epic before writing was invented, and when writing appeared, someone thought to write it down.

Though it is not *certain* that this is the oldest written story, it is still quite likely. The style and skill of the story reflects a long verbal tradition rather than a written one.

I remember this book from my college days.

The first draft of this story was actually written by John McCain.

The style and skill of the story reflects a long verbal tradition rather than a written one.

So after talking about it for hundreds of years, someone picked up a stick and drew this out one day in its entirety without a mistake and well...there you go - poof
The first story.