The Great Flood

[king1]

it would make sense, considering back then a few hundred KMs was probably the extent of most peoples world, any significant flood events would seem like it was global in scope to them... I recall seeing a doco about ancient glaciers that melted causing massive and catastrophic floods, carving out canyons etc and a lake where the side collapsed and emptied the lake... it wouldn't be a huge leap to suggest these may have been the foundation for the fables