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Date Published: 11/10/2024

Remains of Christopher Columbus discovered in Seville

On the eve of Columbus Day, October 12, the bones found buried in Seville Cathedral are confirmed to be those of Christopher Columbus

On the eve of Columbus Day, October 12, forensic researchers from the University of Granada, led by Professor José Antonio Lorente, have confirmed that the bones buried in Seville Cathedral belong to Christopher Columbus. This announcement marks the culmination of over twenty years of research, shedding new light on the historical figure’s origins.

The confirmation was revealed during the presentation of ‘Columbus DNA: His true origin’, a feature-length documentary by Story Producciones, set to air on RTVE on Columbus Day. The documentary promises to address long-standing questions about Columbus’ background, including his place of birth. Concepción Cascajosa, the acting president of RTVE, stated that the programme will not only clarify historical uncertainties but also “help to rewrite” parts of history.

At the event, held at the Royal National Academy of Medicine, Professor Lorente explained that previous studies conducted in the early 2000s had suggested a “possible compatibility” with Columbus’ remains, but the lack of sufficient DNA at the time made the conclusions less certain.

Now, with more advanced methods and better data, Lorente declared that the results are “exact” and the identification is “practically absolute”. These findings will be published in an international scientific journal.

The research involved DNA analysis of skeletal remains attributed to Columbus, his son Hernando and his brother Diego. Through this work, it will be possible to scientifically determine Columbus’ provenance. While the widely accepted theory is that Columbus hailed from Genoa, alternative possibilities have suggested origins in Portugal, Catalonia, Galicia or even Norway.

A descendant of Columbus, the Duke of Veragua – who holds the title of the twentieth Christopher Columbus – also attended the event. He pointed out that the skeleton in Seville Cathedral is incomplete, a fact used by authorities in the Dominican Republic to argue that they possess some of Columbus’ remains. The Dominican Republic has long claimed ownership of the explorer's bones, housed in the Columbus Lighthouse in Santo Domingo.

Professor Lorente suggested that it is possible Columbus’ remains could be divided between the two countries, noting, “They are not all in Seville, nor are they all in the Dominican Republic.”

He added that the Dominican authorities declined to allow DNA analysis of their remains, asserting that there was no doubt they belonged to Columbus.

The president of the Royal National Academy of Medicine, Eduardo Díaz-Rubio, called the discovery “a historic day” for science. The findings not only confirm Columbus’ final resting place in Seville but also open the door to further exploration of his origins, a topic that has intrigued historians for centuries.

The upcoming documentary and published research are expected to settle some of these longstanding mysteries, offering a new chapter in the story of one of the most famous figures in world history.

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