After five centuries of speculation and theories, the true identity of Christopher Columbus has begun to emerge thanks to the documentary “Columbus DNA: his true origin ’, produced by RTVE. This feature-length film, which details 22 years of research led by forensic scientist and professor at the University of Granada, José Antonio Lorente, has revealed that the man who discovered America was, in fact, Jewish.
The investigation began with the search for Columbus’ mortal remains, which were believed to be in Seville or the Dominican Republic. Science has confirmed that the remains in the Cathedral of Seville belong to the admiral. An analysis of the bones of his son, Hernando Colón, was crucial in establishing the parentage and resolving a 150-year dispute between Spain and the Caribbean nation. Hernando’s DNA results showed traits compatible with a Jewish origin, both in the ‘Y’ chromosome and in mitochondrial DNA.
The documentary, presented in a true crime format, chronicles the genetic research process, where 25 possible origins of Columbus were examined and narrowed down to eight plausible hypotheses. As the theories were presented, DNA dismantled many of them, leading to the conclusion that Columbus was not Genoese, as had been believed for centuries.
Researcher Francesc Albardaner, who led one of the lines of research, argues that Columbus was Jewish and places him in the western Mediterranean, specifically on the Iberian peninsula, where at the time of Columbus there were around 200,000 Jews. In contrast, in Italy, the Jewish population was significantly smaller. Albardaner argues that Columbus’ history as a Genoese enters into crisis if his Jewish origin is accepted, as Genoa had expelled the Jews in the 12th century.
Research also revealed that the surname Colombo, common in Italy, was used for abandoned children, further complicating the narrative of an Italian Columbus. In addition, the Columbus letters, which are preserved in large numbers, are written in Spanish, with no Italian influence.
The documentary also addresses other enigmas about Columbus’ life, including the revelation that his brother Diego was not really his brother, but a distant relative. Throughout his life, Columbus concealed his origin, possibly due to the persecution faced by Jews in the Iberian Peninsula. In 1492, an ultimatum was issued forcing Jews to convert to Christianity or leave the kingdoms of the Catholic Kings.
Albardaner suggests that Columbus, throughout his life, had to appear to be a devout Christian to avoid persecution. The research also highlights the support Columbus received from Jews and converts, such as the Duke of Medinaceli and Luis de Santángel, who played a crucial role in financing his expedition to America.
Finally, Lorente concludes that the DNA indicates a Mediterranean origin for Columbus, suggesting that his most likely provenance is in the Spanish Mediterranean arc or in the Balearic Islands, which at that time belonged to the Corona de Aragón. With this new evidence, the documentary not only rewrites the story of Columbus, but also invites a deeper reflection on the identity and legacy of the man who changed the course of history.
References and Links:
- Documentary ‘Columbus DNA: his true origin’ – RTVE Play
- University of Granada – Research by Dr. José Antonio Lorente
- RTVE Noticias – Descubren el verdadero origen de Cristóbal Colón
- History of the Jews in the Iberian Peninsula – Sephardic Museum
- Francesc Albardaner and the Catalan origin of Columbus – Interview in La Vanguardia
