Scientists reveal through DNA analysis that famed explorer Christopher Columbus was likely of Spanish and Jewish descent, challenging the long-held belief of his Italian origins from Genoa.
Revelations on Columbus: Spanish and Jewish Roots Uncovered

Revelations on Columbus: Spanish and Jewish Roots Uncovered
A new study uncovers Christopher Columbus's Spanish and Jewish heritage, reshaping historical narratives.
In a groundbreaking discovery, Spanish scientists have revealed that Christopher Columbus, the explorer who arrived in the Americas in 1492, was likely of Spanish and Jewish heritage. This conclusion stems from an extensive genetic study led by Professor José Antonio Lorente of Granada University and historian Marcial Castro. The research, which has spanned over two decades, began with the exhumation of what are believed to be Columbus's remains from Seville Cathedral in 2003.
The study challenges the traditional view that Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy, proposing instead that he was born in western Europe, potentially in Valencia, Spain. According to the researchers, Columbus may have concealed his Jewish identity or converted to Catholicism to avoid religious persecution during a time when Jews and Muslims in Spain were forced to convert or leave the country. This was the landmark year of 1492 when Columbus set sail across the Atlantic with backing from Spain's Catholic Monarchs, mistakenly reaching the Caribbean instead of Asia. His arrival marked the onset of European colonization in the Americas, leading to tragic consequences for indigenous populations.
The findings from the DNA comparisons, including samples from Columbus's son Hernando and brother Diego, challenge over two dozen conflicting theories about his birthplace and provide a new perspective on his life and motivations. Announced during the documentary "Columbus DNA: His True Origin," the revelation coincided with Spain's National Day, which commemorates Columbus's arrival in the Americas. The study offers a new dimension to the ongoing discussions of Columbus's identity and legacy, providing what researchers describe as "almost absolutely reliable" evidence of his true origins.
The study challenges the traditional view that Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy, proposing instead that he was born in western Europe, potentially in Valencia, Spain. According to the researchers, Columbus may have concealed his Jewish identity or converted to Catholicism to avoid religious persecution during a time when Jews and Muslims in Spain were forced to convert or leave the country. This was the landmark year of 1492 when Columbus set sail across the Atlantic with backing from Spain's Catholic Monarchs, mistakenly reaching the Caribbean instead of Asia. His arrival marked the onset of European colonization in the Americas, leading to tragic consequences for indigenous populations.
The findings from the DNA comparisons, including samples from Columbus's son Hernando and brother Diego, challenge over two dozen conflicting theories about his birthplace and provide a new perspective on his life and motivations. Announced during the documentary "Columbus DNA: His True Origin," the revelation coincided with Spain's National Day, which commemorates Columbus's arrival in the Americas. The study offers a new dimension to the ongoing discussions of Columbus's identity and legacy, providing what researchers describe as "almost absolutely reliable" evidence of his true origins.