The earliest record of the Sumerian creation myth, called The Eridu Genesis by historian Thorkild Jacobsen, is found on a single fragmentary tablet excavated in Nippur. It is written in the Sumerian language and dated to around 1600 BC.

The gods An, Enlil, Enki and Ninhursanga create the black-headed people and create comfortable conditions for the animals to live and procreate. Then kingship descends from heaven and the first cities are founded. Later, the gods decide not to save mankind from an impending flood. The hero is warned and given instructions for the ark. The flood takes seven days and nights.

After the flood is over, the animals disembark and the hero thanks the gods, who give him eternal life and take him to dwell in Dilmun for "preserving the animals and the seed of mankind".

The ETCSL translation of the flood story is available (see url)