The centuries-old mystery related to the origin of Christopher Columbus may soon be solved. Spanish scientists have confirmed through DNA analysis that Columbus’s remains are indeed buried in a tomb in Seville Cathedral, Spain. The finding settles a long-standing debate about his final resting place, which had previously been challenged by other claims. New York Post Informed.
The controversy does not end here; Questions about Columbus’s nationality are also on the verge of resolution. While Columbus is traditionally believed to have been from Genoa, Italy, alternative theories suggest he may have been a Spanish Jew, Greek, Basque, or Portuguese.
Led by forensic expert Miguel Llorente, researchers have analyzed small samples of Seville’s remains, comparing them with Columbus’s known relatives. The findings of their study will be revealed in a documentary titled “Columbus DNA: The True Origin” to air on Spain’s national broadcaster TVE.
Although Llorente did not disclose the final results during a recent briefing, he said modern technology has definitively confirmed that the remains in Seville are those of Columbus. He acknowledged the challenges in researching Columbus’s nationality due to the extensive data but said the findings are “almost absolutely reliable”.
The transfer of Columbus’s remains has a complex history. He died in Valladolid, Spain in 1506, but his wish was to be buried in Hispaniola, in what is now the Dominican Republic and Haiti. His remains were taken to Cuba in 1795 and were later believed to be transferred to Seville in 1898. However, some evidence suggests that parts of his remains may still be in the Caribbean, as fragments of bones believed to belong to Columbus were found in lead. Coffin in Santo Domingo in 1877.
This ongoing debate comes amid growing criticism of Columbus’s legacy. Nick Tilsen, president of the indigenous-led advocacy group NDN Collective, argues that celebrating Columbus Day is “absolutely disrespectful”, pointing to the devastation caused by Columbus’s expeditions to indigenous populations through colonization and disease.
