A team of Spanish scientists announced a groundbreaking discovery on Saturday: Christopher Columbus, the famous explorer who changed the course of history, was likely a Sephardic Jew from Western Europe. This revelation comes after a 22-year investigation using DNA analysis to solve a long-standing mystery about his origins.
Who Was Christopher Columbus?
Christopher Columbus is known for leading Spanish-funded voyages starting in the 1490s, which opened the door for European exploration and conquest of the Americas. However, the true origins of Columbus have been debated for centuries. Most people have traditionally believed he was from Genoa, Italy, but historians have suggested various other possibilities. Some theories claimed he might be Spanish, Greek, Basque, Portuguese, or even British.
The Investigation
To get to the bottom of this mystery, forensic expert Miguel Lorente led a research team that conducted a detailed examination of Columbus’s remains, which are believed to be buried in Seville Cathedral, Spain. For years, there has been confusion about the true burial site of Columbus, with multiple countries claiming to have his final resting place.
Using tiny samples from the remains, the researchers compared the DNA with that of known relatives and descendants of Columbus. They were looking for specific genetic markers that could provide clues about his ancestry.
Shocking Findings
The results were revealed in a documentary titled “Columbus DNA: The True Origin” on Spain’s national broadcaster TVE. The findings confirmed that Columbus had Jewish origins. Miguel Lorente explained, “We have DNA from Christopher Columbus, very partial, but sufficient. We have DNA from Hernando Colón, his son.” Both Columbus and his son showed DNA traits linked to Jewish ancestry, which aligns with the theory that Columbus was a Sephardic Jew.
A Rich Jewish History
The term “Sephardic” refers to Jews who lived in Spain before the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand, ordered them to convert to Catholicism or leave the country. Before this decree, about 300,000 Jews resided in Spain. Many of them scattered across the globe after the expulsion.
Lorente mentioned that after analyzing 25 possible birthplaces, they could only confirm that Columbus was born in Western Europe. This is significant because it challenges the traditional narrative that Columbus was from Italy.
Columbus’s Journey
Columbus died in 1506 in Valladolid, Spain, but he wished to be buried on Hispaniola, an island shared today by the Dominican Republic and Haiti. His remains were moved several times: first to Hispaniola in 1542, then to Cuba in 1795, and finally to Seville in 1898, where they have long been believed to rest.
This exciting discovery about Columbus’s heritage not only sheds light on his mysterious origins but also adds a new layer to our understanding of the historical figure who played a pivotal role in the European exploration of the Americas. With ongoing research and debates, Columbus’s legacy continues to evolve, making it a captivating topic for historians and enthusiasts alike.
