Columbus' Jewish Ancestry: A DNA Investigation

• A documentary titled 'Colón ADN, su verdadero origen' suggests that Christopher Columbus was Jewish and from Spain, challenging the theory that he was from Genoa.
• A 22-year investigation, led by forensic scientist José Antonio Lorente from the University of Granada, examined remains and documents to support the claim that Columbus was Jewish.

Evidence and Analysis

• Scientific analysis confirmed that the remains in the Seville cathedral are indeed those of Columbus.
• DNA analysis of Columbus's son, Hernando Colón, revealed genetic traits compatible with a Jewish origin in both the Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA.
• Genetic studies comparing the remains of both Christopher and Hernando Columbus revealed they bear traits of Jewish origin.
• The documentary uses a true-crime approach to present the genetic study step-by-step, dismissing eight plausible theories about Columbus's origin through DNA evidence.

Geographic Origin

• Lorente asserts that Columbus was Jewish and specifies his origin as the Western Mediterranean area.
• Francesc Albardaner, from the Centre d'Estudis Colombins in Barcelona, suggests the research indicates Columbus was not Italian or from Genoa.

Refuting the Genoese Theory

• Historians have stated that a Jewish Columbus is incompatible with the theory of him being Genoese.
• Genoa had expelled Jews in the 12th century, and by Columbus's time, there was no Jewish community or synagogues there.
• Columbus's letters were written in Castilian Spanish, with no Italian influence, even when corresponding with the bank of Genoa.

Italian DNA Studies

• Studies of men named Colombo from the Genoa and Milan areas found no shared genetic traits, as the name Colombo was commonly given to abandoned children in the 15th century.
• DNA evidence suggests Columbus lied about his brother Diego, indicating they were more like second cousins.

Columbus's Hidden Identity

• Columbus never documented his past, possibly due to the persecution of Jews in the Iberian Peninsula.
• Many Jews were forced to convert to Catholicism, while others emigrated, including to Lisbon, where Columbus lived for several years.
• Columbus may have had to pretend to be Christian to avoid persecution by the Inquisition, but he was protected by the monarchs.

Valencian Origin Theory

• Albardaner suggests Columbus was from a family of silk weavers in Valencia, where there was a strong Jewish tradition of silk weaving.
• Columbus's writings exhibit a strong sense of Judaism.

Support from Jewish Community

• Columbus received support from Jews and converted Jews, including the Duke of Medinaceli and Luis de Santángel, who financed his voyage to America.
• Andrés Cabrera, an advisor to Queen Isabel, also supported Columbus.

Mediterranean Origin

• DNA indicates Columbus had a Mediterranean origin in the Western Mediterranean.
• Given the absence of Jews in 15th-century Genoa, it is unlikely he was from there.
• The most probable origin is the Spanish Mediterranean area or the Balearic Islands, which belonged to the Crown of Aragon at that time.