Final answer:
Abraham was unlikely to begin his people due to the lack of archaeological evidence of his existence and the revolutionary shift from polytheism to monotheism that he represented. His story, central to Judaism and Islam, lacks historical corroboration but is sustained by religious traditions and narratives.
Step-by-step explanation:
Why was Abram, later known as Abraham, a very unlikely person to begin his people? According to the history found within the Hebrew Bible, Abraham holds a pivotal role as the first patriarch and clan leader of the Hebrews. Despite the absence of archaeological evidence to corroborate the existence of Abraham and his journeys from Mesopotamia to Canaan, the biblical narrative and other religious traditions uphold his significance. One reason Abraham was unlikely to begin his people is that he emerged from a realm of polytheism with a revolutionary belief in monotheism, evidenced by the Covenant with Yahweh promising a land of prosperity to his descendants. His legacy is not only central to Judaism but also forms a cornerstone in Islamic tradition, where he is recognized as Ibrahim, the builder of the Kaaba and an early monotheist. Historians note that the story of Abraham could be based on oral traditions later written between the tenth and sixth centuries BCE, making it difficult to validate with historical records.