At 03:21 31.07.03 +0000, John wrote:

>Their creation myths tell of Nammu (Chaos) a mingling of salt water
>(Taimat) with fresh water (Abzu) as a hieros gamos from whence Lahm and
>Lahmu ("the Muddy ones") were born.

Of course the coexistance of quite a number of creation myths contributed
to the "e pluribus unum" idea. Nevertheless, this one is a good candiate
for a match.

>and that linguists have found a substrate language beneath the Arabic of
>the Marsh Arabs dialect that could be Sumerian.

Once again the notorious question: references?

Geez, this should be the next dialect I should learn, and spending the next
vacations there wouldn't hurt either...

All the best,

Heike