Christopher Columbus Was Likely A Sephardic Jew Who Converted To Escape Religious Persecution: DNA Study

A 20-year DNA study by Spanish scientists suggests Christopher Columbus may have been a Spanish and Jewish, born in Valencia instead of Genoa. This theory challenges traditional beliefs.

A new genetic study by Spanish scientists suggests that Christopher Columbus, the renowned explorer, may have been of Spanish and Jewish heritage. This DNA study was undertaken to clarify the centuries-old mystery of Columbus’s origins, whose 1492 Atlantic expedition altered the course of history. The scientists believe, as reported by the Western media, Columbus may have been born in the city of Valencia in western Europe, and not in Italy's Genoa as was traditionally thought — a theory questioned by many historians.

The scientists also think that the explorer, who was a Sephardic Jew, might have concealed his Jewish identity, or even converted to Catholicism, so he could escape religious persecution, the reports said.

Sephardic means Sefarad, or Spain, in Hebrew.

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Who Was Christopher Columbus?

Columbus embarked on an expedition, funded by Spain's Catholic Monarchs, to find a new route to Asia. Instead, he reached the Caribbean, marking the start of European contact with the Americas. This arrival set off a wave of conquest and settlement, resulting in the deaths of millions of Indigenous people due to disease and conflict.

Columbus passed away in Valladolid, Spain, in 1506, expressing a wish to be buried on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. 

For centuries, nations have debated Columbus's origins, with several claiming him as their own. There are around 25 competing theories about his birthplace, suggesting possibilities as varied as Poland, Great Britain, Greece, Portugal, Hungary, and Scandinavia.

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What Was The Christopher Columbus DNA Study All About? 

These recent findings stem from over 20 years of research. The study began in 2003 when José Antonio Lorente, a forensic medicine professor at Granada University, and historian Marcial Castro exhumed what were thought to be Columbus's remains from Seville Cathedral, reports said.

Columbus's remains were transferred to Hispaniola in 1542, more than three decades after his death. Centuries later, they were moved to Cuba and eventually interred in Seville. Researchers also collected DNA samples from his tomb and from the bones of his son, Hernando, and brother, Diego. 

Since then, scientists have compared this genetic data with that of historical figures and Columbus's relatives in an effort to resolve the mystery of his origin. It was long believed that Columbus was born in Genoa in 1451, into a family of wool weavers. However, researchers now believe he may have lived in Valencia, Spain, and was of Jewish descent, concealing his background to avoid persecution.

Spain was home to about 3 lakh practising Jews before the 1492 decree ordering Jews and Muslims to convert to Catholicism or leave the country — the same year Columbus arrived in the Americas.

Announcing these findings in the documentary 'Columbus DNA: His True Origin', Professor Lorente described the results as "almost absolutely reliable", as quoted by BBC and other media reports. The programme aired on Spain's national broadcaster RTVE coincided with the country's National Day, celebrating Columbus's arrival in the Americas.

"We have DNA from Christopher Columbus, very partial, but sufficient... 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," Lorente was quoted as saying in the programme.