Spain

Spanish scientists said on Saturday (Oct 12) that 15th-century explorer Christopher Columbus wasn’t Italian but a Sephardic Jew from Western Europe, according to a new genetic study. 

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Several nations have debated the divisive figure's origins and final burial place. Many scientists have also questioned the traditional theories that Christopher Columbus was born in 1451 in Genoa, Italy. 

To shed light on this long-running debate, scientists conducted a 22-year investigation, led by forensic expert Miguel Lorente, by testing the tiny pieces of remains buried in Seville Cathedral, which is believed to be Columbus' last resting place. However, there have been rival claims. 

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They compared them with some known descendants and relatives of Cristopher, and the findings were announced in a documentary titled “Columbus DNA: The True Origin” on Spain's national broadcaster TVE on Saturday. 

Lorente said in the programme, "We have DNA from Christopher Columbus, very partial, but sufficient. We have DNA from Hernando Colón, his son." He added, " 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."

Around 30,000 Jews resided in Spain before the ‘Reyes Catolicos’, Catholic monarch Isabella ordered Muslims and Jews to convert to the Catholic faith or leave the country. Several people moved around the world. Lorente said, after analysing 25 possible places, it was only possible to say Columbus was born in Western Europe. 

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Lorente also mentioned on Thursday that they have confirmed the previous theories and that the remains in Seville Cathedral belonged to Columbus. The research on Columbus's origins was complicated because of various factors including a large amount of data. But the findings are reliable, as per Lorente.  

Christopher Columbus died in 1506 in Valladolid, Spain, but he wished to be buried on the island of Hispaniola. His remains were taken there in 1542, then moved to Cuba in 1795, and then, it had been long though in Spain, to Seville Cathedral in 1898. 

(With inputs from agencies)