DNA Evidence Suggests Christopher Columbus Was of Jewish Ancestry
A new documentary, “Columbus DNA: The true origin,” broadcast on Spain’s national broadcaster TVE, revealed that DNA analysis suggests Christopher Columbus was of Sephardic Jewish descent. The documentary highlights a 22-year investigation led by forensic expert Miguel Lorente.
Lorente and his team analyzed DNA samples from remains at Seville Cathedral, which are believed to be Columbus’ final resting place. The DNA was compared to samples from known relatives and descendants of the explorer, who led trans-Atlantic expeditions for the Spanish crown from the 1490s onward.
“We have DNA from Christopher Columbus, very partial, but sufficient. We have DNA from Hernando Colón, his son,” Lorente explained in the documentary. “And both in the Y chromosome [male] and in the mitochondrial DNA [transmitted by the mother] of Hernando there are traits compatible with Jewish origin.”
Prior to the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492, an estimated 300,000 Jews resided in the country. This expulsion, orchestrated by Catholic monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand, forced Jews and Muslims to convert or face exile. Notably, 1492 was the same year as Columbus’ famous first voyage.
The term Sephardic originates from Sepharad, which refers to Spain. While Columbus was traditionally believed to be from Genoa, Italy, historians have also proposed that he might have been a Spanish Jew or perhaps of Greek, Basque, Portuguese, or British origin. Lorente’s study examined 25 potential locations, but ultimately concluded that Columbus was born in Western Europe.
Columbus passed away in Valladolid, Spain, in 1506. His remains were initially transported to Hispaniola – currently encompassing the Dominican Republic and Haiti – in 1542, where he wished to be interred. In 1795, they were moved to Cuba. Authorities believed Columbus’ remains were eventually returned to Spain, specifically to Seville in 1898.
Lorente asserted that his research confirms the authenticity of the remains at Seville Cathedral as those of Columbus. He stated, “The outcome is almost absolutely reliable.”