A recent genetic study by Spanish researchers suggests that renowned explorer Christopher Columbus may have been of both Spanish and Jewish descent. The study aims to resolve a long-standing historical debate about his origins. According to the findings, Columbus was likely born in Western Europe, with Valencia being a possible birthplace. This contradicts the long held belief that he was born in Genoa, Italy, in 1451.
The evidence as to the true origins of Christopher Columbus came from the analysis of DNA samples taken from his tomb in Seville, Spain.
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The results of the research were revealed during the broadcast of a documentary titled “Columbus DNA: The true origin” on Spain’s national broadcaster TVE on Saturday.
For centuries Jews around the world have speculated that Christopher Columbus may have, indeed, been Jewish. His voyage of discovery, after all, did set sail in 1492. That was the same year that King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of the newly united Kingdom of Spain expelled all of the Jews from the country. The Jews of Spain had been prominent and successful there for centuries. Their numbers included the famed medieval rabbi and scientist Maimonides.
Miguel Lorente, who led the research that took 22 years to complete, said in the documentary, “We have DNA from Christopher Columbus, very partial but sufficient.”
“We have DNA from Hernando Colón, his son. And both in the Y [male] chromosome and in the mitochondrial DNA [from the mother] of Hernando there are traits compatible with Jewish origin,” he added.
Lorente’s analysis of 25 potential birthplaces led him to conclude that Columbus originated from Western Europe. Despite the challenges posed by the vast amount of data, he expressed high confidence in the reliability of his findings.
Columbus passed away in Valladolid, Spain, in 1506, but his final wish was to be interred on the island of Hispaniola, now shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti. His remains were initially transferred there in 1542, but portions were subsequently moved to Cuba in 1795 and then to Seville in 1898. Beyond the debate about his origins, Columbus’ legacy has been marred by controversy, primarily due to his brutal treatment of the indigenous populations of the Americas.
