0028 To me, the message1 underlying the stories of Adam and Eve2 brings together a tragic flaw of humanity (originating with Adam) and the theme (T1) that humankind tends to destroy what God has made good.
Meaning1 encompasses Jewish covenantal history and the theme (T2) of God delivering humankind from the consequences of their sins.
These two themes show what is at stake with the historical Adam.
0029 The historical Adam, as the originator of humanity’s tragic flaw and as the starting point of Jewish covenantal history, resides in the presence1 underlying the stories of Adam and Eve2. The drama of the primeval history (Genesis 2:4-11) associates to the most ancient of ancient Near East mythology.
0030 This makes me wonder, “What are the earliest cultures of southern Mesopotamia? What cultures precede and develop into the first civilization, the Sumerian Dynastic?”
The archaeological periods are named the Ubaid (starting around 7800 years ago) and the Uruk (developing out of the Ubaid by 6000 years ago). The Sumerian Dynastic emerges from the Uruk (around 5000 years ago).