Who is Atrahasis from Myths from Mesopotamia: Creation, the Flood, Gilgamesh, and Others and what is their importance?

Atrahasis, also known as Ut-napishtim in the myth of "Gilgamesh", is the savior of mankind. Through his relationship with his god Ea, he saves the population of the earth several times before the Flood. Following Ellil's final blow on humanity, he builds a boat, and upon it places animals and humans, so they might survive the Floods. In "Gilgamesh", Atrahasis is the keeper of the secret to immortality. He is seen as the Mesopotamian version of Noah.