DNA samples taken from the remains of Christopher Columbus, known in Spanish as Cristóbal Colón, and his son Hernando, have set the stage to answer the longstanding questions surrounding the explorer’s origins more than five centuries after his historic voyages to the New World.
Columbus, who arrived in the Americas in 1492 under the auspices of the Spanish Crown, has often been regarded as a native of Genoa. However, speculation about his true birthplace has persisted, with various nations claiming him as their own. Following over two decades of meticulous research, scientists are poised to disclose evidence that could clarify the mystery.
In 2003, a team led by a forensic medicine professor and a historian exhumed what were believed to be Columbus’s remains from a cathedral in Seville for DNA analysis. They also gathered DNA samples from his son, Hernando, and brother, Diego. Utilizing advancements in technology, the research team has meticulously compared these DNA samples against those of historical figures across several regions to ascertain Columbus’s origins.
A significant revelation will unfold in an upcoming documentary set to air on a national holiday commemorating Columbus’s arrival in the Americas. Ahead of this broadcast, forensic researchers confirmed that the remains in Seville indeed belong to Columbus. The Dominican Republic has issued long-standing claims of hosting his body, with a mausoleum situated in Santo Domingo.
Professor Lorente underscored the success of their research by stating that modern techniques have yielded definitive proof regarding the identity of the remains in Seville. Yet, he acknowledged the potential for some of Columbus’s remains to reside in the Dominican Republic, which did not participate in the collaborative research effort.
The origins of Columbus remain a puzzle. While many historians endorse the widely accepted theory that he was born in Genoa in 1451 to a wool-weaving family, numerous other claims have surfaced over the years, including theories positing potential origins in regions such as Galicia and Mallorca in Spain, or even links to Jewish ancestry in Valencia.
As the imminent documentary approaches, tantalizing hints suggest that groundbreaking findings could reshape public understanding of Columbus’s identity. The research team has indicated they are reviewing significant recent data that will be revealed in November, furthering the scientific exploration into this enduring historical enigma.
