Recent genetic research has sparked considerable debate, suggesting Christopher Columbus, the famed explorer, may not have been born in Genoa as long believed, but could instead be of Spanish Jewish descent.
The findings, released during a special program on Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE, coinciding with Columbus Day (12th October), challenge centuries of accepted historical narrative.
Led by José Antonio Lorente, a forensic expert from the University of Granada, the study focused on DNA analysis of Columbus and his son, Fernando Colón. The investigation, spanning over 20 years, identified genetic markers indicative of a Jewish ancestry, particularly traits compatible with Sephardic lineage.
According to Lorente, Columbus’ origins likely trace back to the western Mediterranean, potentially within the Spanish Mediterranean region or the Balearic Islands, given the lack of a significant Jewish presence in Genoa during the 15th century.
This revelation has drawn attention not only for its historical implications but also for its timing, aligning with discussions around Columbus’s controversial legacy in the context of the ongoing discourse about colonialism and Indigenous rights.
Experts cast doubt over latest claims
Columbus’ voyage in 1492 coincided with the expulsion of Jews from Spain under the Alhambra Decree, a move supported by the Catholic monarchs who sponsored his expeditions. Rabbi Abraham Cooper from the Simon Wiesenthal Centre reflected on this connection, suggesting Columbus may have sought a safe haven for persecuted Jews, despite being part of the Catholic establishment that expelled them.
However, other experts urge caution in interpreting these findings. Laurence Bergreen, author of Columbus: The Four Voyages, noted that while Columbus was undoubtedly influenced by various cultures, there is insufficient evidence in his writings to suggest he identified himself as Jewish or was aware of his own potential Jewish roots. Critics have highlighted the lack of raw genetic data and the complexity of verifying Columbus’s DNA, given the historical fragmentation of his remains.
Italian historian Antonio Musarra, an associate professor of Medieval History at Sapienza University of Rome, noted the theory surrounding Christopher Columbus’s origins is “nothing new.”
Musarra explained to ANSA that over the years, various claims have emerged, suggesting Columbus could be Polish, Sephardic Jew, Iberian, or from Piacenza. He stated the difficulty in definitively establishing Columbus’s Genoese roots due to the abundance of documents in the State Archives of Genoa that refer to multiple individuals sharing the same names. “There is more than one Cristoforo and more than one Domenico Colombo, his father. But Columbus certainly lived in Genoa,” he stated.
Additionally, Musarra pointed out that Columbus’s writings contain “strong references to the ‘Genoese homeland'” and that he maintained “close ties with the Fieschi family” as well as numerous Genoese financiers. He highlighted that historical figures, including Francesco Guicciardini, also identified Columbus as Genoese, providing “incontrovertible elements” to support this claim.
Implications over the identity and legacy of Columbus
The implications of this research are multifaceted. If validated, Columbus’ Jewish heritage would present a significant irony: a man central to the formation of Spain’s empire who potentially belonged to the very community marginalised by his patrons. The news has also led to a mixed response within Jewish communities, with scholars emphasising that genetic markers alone do not define Jewish identity.
Ronnie Perelis, chair of Sephardic Studies at Yeshiva University, noted that Columbus’ writings suggest a deeply Christian worldview, influenced by Jewish theology rather than a self-identification as a Jew.
As discussions about Columbus continue to evolve, this genetic research invites a reexamination of his legacy and its implications in contemporary conversations about identity, belonging, and history.
Sources:
1. The Guardian – [Columbus as a Spanish Jew?](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/14/christopher-columbus-jewish-heritage)
2. Forward – [Columbus’s Sephardic DNA and Its Implications](https://forward.com/culture/2024/10/14/christopher-columbus-jewish-heritage/)
3. RTVE – [Documentary Reveals Columbus’s Jewish Heritage](https://www.rtve.es/)
