Around the start of the twentieth century, the German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht found this extraordinary inscription on a clay tablet that was 4,000 years old. Hermann Hilprecht was born in the United States.

The ancient Sumerian text that has caused the greatest controversy throughout the years lists the names of eight ancient kings who are said to have descended from the heavens and governed for approximately two hundred thousand years. According to the story, Mesopotamia was ruled by a group of eight sentient animals for 241,200 years before to the Great Flood. During that time, the region was inhabited.

Mesopotamia, which later became Babylonia and is today located in Iraq and Syria, was once home to a highly developed civilisation known as the Sumerians. This culture flourished in the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Mesopotamia around 7000 years ago. The most important artifact discovered at the ancient Sumerian site in Iraq was a scroll that provided a listing of Sumer’s kings and the length of their reigns.

Around the start of the twentieth century, the German-American scholar Hermann Hilprecht found this extraordinary inscription on a clay tablet that was 4,000 years old. Hermann Hilprecht was born in the United States. Hilprecht found at least 18 cuneiform tablets that were quite identical to one another (c. 2017-1794 BCE). Although they were not the same, the material that was considered to have originated from a single Sumerian source was included in each of them. In addition to the Royal Library of Nineveh, which dates back to the seventh century B.C., more than a dozen copies of the Sumerian King List have been found in the cities of Babylon, Susa, and Assyria.

The names of multiple generations of kings who ruled ancient Mesopotamia are included in the list that was compiled in Sumerian, as well as information on the duration and location of their reigns. In addition to the list, the text included details on the events that occurred during the Great Flood, as well as folklore, tales about Gilgamesh, and accounts of ancient emperors.

The Sumerian List had the following entries before the flood:

After it came down from heaven, the kingdom established its rule in Eridug. After ascending to the throne of Eridug, Alulim ruled for a total of 28800 years. Alaljar ruled for a total of 360 000 years. For a total of 64800 years, two kings ruled. After the destruction of Eridug, the kingdom was moved to Bad-tibia where it still resides.

Over a period of 43200 years, En-men-Luana ruled over Bad-tibira. The reign of En-men-gal-ana lasted for 28800 years. Dumuzid, also known as the shepherd, ruled for 360 000 years. There was a total of 108000 years of ruling by three different rulers. Following the destruction of Bad-tibira, the kingship was given to Larag.

Larag was ruled by En-sipad-did-ana for a total of 28800 years. There was only ever a single ruler over those 28800 years of ruling. After Larag fell, the kingship was given to Zimbir as a symbol of Zimbir’s ascendancy. After ascending to the throne, En-men-dur-ana ruled Zimbir for a period of 21000 years. There was only ever a single ruler over those 21 thousand years of power. When Zimbir fell apart, the kingdom was given to Shuruppag as a result. After ascending to the throne of Shuruppag, Ubara-Tutu ruled for a total of 18600 years. There was only been a single ruler over those 18600 years of ruling. They ruled for a total of 241,200 years, during which time there were 5 cities and 8 kings. The water then began to flood in quickly.”

How was it that the eight kings were able to rule the earth for a total of 241,200 years? There was a great deal of debate on the length of rule exercised by the early rulers. Each of the mythological and legendary figures on the list, such as Etana, Lugal-banda, and Gilgamesh, was known to have ruled for an incredible length of time. Some of the people around them believed that they were gods who could live far longer than humans. Also included is a summary of the restrictions that were in place after the flood, as well as their kingship.