Mesopotamian AuthorsNo names have been left behind by the authors of the Adapa myth, which has survived in several separate cuneiform fragments [qv. below] referred to collectively by the title 'Adapa into Heaven'. 'Adapa's Ascent' is a work that exists in written form rom as early as 1780 BCE (in Sumerian) and whose most refined versions are written in the Akkadian language. Written works, in Mesopotamia, were preserved on clay tablets in a form of writing called cuneiform, formed by impressing characters on soft clay with a writing implement and then letting the tablets bake in the sun or in an oven. When a tablet would be re-written - copied - changes might be made (sometimes improvements or additions) and the text would likely progress to a new stage due to the scribe who was replicating it. The character of the scribe would potentially affect the text and new words might be added, especially to the beginning or end of the work. There is evidence of this happening with 'Adapa's Ascent' but no trace remains of whoever were the authors of the actual tablets. Thus it is not possible to record their biographies here. Read More Read Less