Research Proposal

By
Usman Ghani

Subject:
Research Methodology
M.Phil. Archeology
Roll No: 01-2325-MPM

Session:
2023-2025

Submitted to:
Ms. Ifqat Shaheen

Department of Archeology
Date of Submission:
29.11.2023

University of the Punjab, Lahore

Topic:
Mesopotamian Civilization Creation Myths

Introduction:
Creation myth are supernatural mythological or religious story which explains
how universe came into existence (Cosmology) how gods came, how earth, sky and
heaven and hell was created and why was it created, how and why humanity was
created (it’s purpose).The idea of creation from nothing is called Ex Nhilio in which
some kind of divine process occurs and creation of things starts.
There are three Mesopotamian Creation myths known to world Atra-Hasis,
Eridu Genesis and Enuma Elish and all are based on Ex Nhilio idea of creation how at
beginning in Chaos (formless matter from which things emerge) only undifferentiated
water was available which then splits into Sweet, Ground water known as Abzu and
Bitter, Sea water known as Tiamat.From these two primordial beings then universe
came into existence.
Statement of the Problem:
Why was there need of three different variations/types of creation myth
&
Why was Enuma Elish so different from other creation myths or concept of
Marduk
Review of literature:
I. The Atra-Hasis Epic:The great flood and the meaning of Suffering describes the
cosmology of gods of Mesopotamian pantheon and role in creation of universe
and humanity and on the destruction of humanity by Enlil god after consulting
with great god An.it describes how he brings suffering suffering to humanity in
the form of drought, plague and famine after these complete eradication of
humanity by great flood from which one mortal survives with the help of god
Enki and it shows how preservance of humanity.
II. Eridu Genisis describes the formation of very first city eridu and then other cities
and on them the governance of Divine beings on them and purpose of creation of
humanity and their destruction in the shape of Great Flood (exact reason can’t be
pinpointed because Eridu Genisis’s stone tablets was badly damaged when it was
excavated).
III. Enuma Elish:The Babylonian Epic of Creation explains the cosmology of
universe in a new shape by introducing new supreme ruler of Cosmos “Marduk”
and how he became supreme ruler by killing Tiamat and her Army of monsters
and dragon like being was introduced. It also shows the struggle of gods to obtain
the kingship on all gods.
Scope and Significance:
Creation myths plays very important role in understanding cosmology of
universe. It gives an answers to some explainable questions like how universe was
made why was Humanity created and for what purpose and why things happens like
this and not that. In religion, Creation myths are very important because it forms
basics of religious beliefs, practices, Rituals. These also serves as a connection
between Divinity and Humanity.
Creation Myths preserve heritage and culture and helps pass down
knowledge from generations to generations.These helps man finds his purpose in life.
Creations myths often gives morality/ethics lessons and helps unite a culture.
Hypothesis:
After reviewing different literature about Creation myths various hypothesis
emerges from it.
How Babylonians wanted to show their dominance on other Mesopotamian
cultures by introducing new Supreme Ruler of Cosmos Marduk and how he became
supreme ruler by slaying the primordial being Tiamat her Army of 11 horrifying
monsters and their Army Champion Kingu(Qingu) from whom gods like Enki and
Enlil (who are important part of Mesopotamian Pantheon common in all
Mesopotamian cultures) were afraid.
Creation Myth gives hypothesis how undifferentiated water splits into two
primordial beings namely Abzu and Tiamat which untimely leads creation of
humanity who were created to lower the work loads of gods and how they were
destroyed by great god Enlil in form of drought, famine, plague and ultimately in the
form of Great Flood on whims of gods and by some unpleasing behaviors of human
being.
Methodology:
Qualitative research method will be used for this research proposal because
in qualitative method we collect and analyze non -numerical data. Further used
comparative analysis to compare the creation myths of different Mesopotamian
cultures to find the similarities and differences in them.Textual analysis to study and
review ancient texts and archaeological findings to analyze the evolution in creation
myths over time.
Research Questions:
Research questions arises like did Atra-hasis and Eridu Genisis had same
content? because tablets which contain eridu genesis was already badly damaged
when it was excavated.
Why did Babylonians introduced Marduk in there creation myth? What was reason
behind this?
Bibliography:
I. Myths from Mesopotamia : creation, the flood, Gilgamesh, and others. Dalley,
Stephanie. Oxford [England]: Oxford University Press. 1989.
II. The Atra-Hasis Epic:The great flood and the meaning of life. Joshua J. Mark.
2011.
III. Enuma Elish: The Babylonian Epic of creation From Etana Website.
https://etana.org/node/581
IV. Mark, J. J. (2011, March 06). The Atrahasis Epic: The Great Flood & the
Meaning of Suffering. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from
https://www.worldhistory.org/article/227/ the-atrahasis-epic-the-great-flood--the-
meaning-of/