the precise reason is that it was written in clay that was baked when the city was burned. Normal dried out clay doesn't have such a long shelves time. So what we have from those times is what was written on the verge of Wars.

Wars have been with us from time memorial, it certainly has not been an invention of the Israelites and their God, that is for sure.

There are many parralels between O.T. and those earlier mythologies. Only names and part of God's intents where changed. Could O.T. be also a mythology?

This is well worth examining in details...good point Geek. Maybe we should start a new thread? What do you reckon ?