Christopher Columbus Jewish Theory: Difference between revisions
Created page with "A new documentary and associated research by Spanish scientists, based on a 22-year investigation, suggest that Christopher Columbus may have been of Sephardic Jewish descent from western Europe, likely born in Valencia, Spain, rather than Genoa, Italy. The study, which analyzed DNA from remains believed to be Columbus's and his descendants, found genetic markers compatible with Jewish origin, leading researchers to conclude he likely concealed his background due to reli..." |
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The credibility of the documentary has been questioned by independent scientists. Geneticist Antonio Alonso, former director of Spain’s National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences, criticized the film for not presenting any actual data or scientific analysis, stating: "Unfortunately, from the scientific point of view, no assessment can be made after watching the documentary, since it does not provide any data on what has been analysed." | The credibility of the documentary has been questioned by independent scientists. Geneticist Antonio Alonso, former director of Spain’s National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences, criticized the film for not presenting any actual data or scientific analysis, stating: "Unfortunately, from the scientific point of view, no assessment can be made after watching the documentary, since it does not provide any data on what has been analysed." | ||
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Revision as of 15:49, 25 November 2025
A new documentary and associated research by Spanish scientists, based on a 22-year investigation, suggest that Christopher Columbus may have been of Sephardic Jewish descent from western Europe, likely born in Valencia, Spain, rather than Genoa, Italy. The study, which analyzed DNA from remains believed to be Columbus's and his descendants, found genetic markers compatible with Jewish origin, leading researchers to conclude he likely concealed his background due to religious persecution, especially around the time of the 1492 expulsion of Jews from Spain.
However, experts caution that DNA evidence indicates Jewish ancestry, not religious identity, and emphasize that Columbus was a devout Christian who signed his letters with "xpo ferens," meaning "Christ bearer," and was deeply involved in the Catholic monarchy's religious and colonial ambitions. Jewish scholars and historians have expressed skepticism, noting that genetics alone cannot confirm religious affiliation, and some warn that identifying Columbus as Jewish could be exploited to fuel antisemitic narratives, particularly given his role in the colonization and suffering of Indigenous peoples.
The documentary is titled Columbus DNA: His True Origin (El ADN de Colón: Su Verdadero Origen), and it was broadcast on Spain’s public television channel RTVE.
The documentary presents a theory led by Professor José Antonio Lorente from the University of Granada, based on a 22-year DNA investigation. It claims that genetic evidence from Columbus’s remains and those of his son Hernando shows traits compatible with Sephardic Jewish ancestry and suggests he was born in Valencia, Spain, not Genoa, Italy.
The credibility of the documentary has been questioned by independent scientists. Geneticist Antonio Alonso, former director of Spain’s National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences, criticized the film for not presenting any actual data or scientific analysis, stating: "Unfortunately, from the scientific point of view, no assessment can be made after watching the documentary, since it does not provide any data on what has been analysed."
2025