In an extraordinary breakthrough that unravels a centuries-old mystery, scientists have confirmed the final resting place of Christopher Columbus, one of history’s most famous explorers. After nearly two decades of meticulous DNA testing, researchers have matched bone fragments found within Seville Cathedral to Columbus himself. This revelation, achieved through comparing Columbus’ remains with those of his son Hernando and his brother Diego, settles long-standing debates about where the voyager was laid to rest following his death in 1506.
Since his passing, Columbus’ remains had been moved multiple times, initially laid to rest in Valladolid, then transported to Seville, and later moved across the Atlantic to the Dominican Republic, where they remained until his bones were supposedly repatriated back to Seville in 1795. Over the years, competing claims by Spain and the Dominican Republic sparked a widespread debate, with both nations claiming to hold Columbus’ bones. But it wasn’t until 2003 that scientists were finally granted permission to open Columbus’ tomb in Seville for DNA testing, launching a 20-year investigation.
Leading the research team, forensic scientist Miguel Lorente and historian Marcial Castro meticulously worked with new DNA sequencing technologies, comparing fragments from Seville to the remains of Columbus’ family members. Lorente confirmed on Thursday that advancements in genetic analysis enabled the team to positively identify Columbus’ remains, putting an end to speculation that he might still be buried in the Dominican Republic. “Today, with new technologies, we have been able to verify with absolute certainty that these remains in Seville Cathedral belong to Christopher Columbus,” Lorente shared in a statement.
While Columbus’ burial site has been a subject of intense interest, his origins have also fueled historical curiosity and debate. Traditional accounts cite his birthplace as Genoa, Italy, yet theories have emerged over the years suggesting he might have been born in places as varied as Spain, Poland, or even Scotland. This latest DNA breakthrough opens the door to further genetic analysis that could definitively resolve questions surrounding his nationality. The findings on Columbus’ heritage will be unveiled in an upcoming documentary, Columbus DNA: The True Origin, airing on Spain’s national broadcaster TVE.
This announcement comes as the United States prepares to observe Columbus Day, celebrated on the second Monday of October to commemorate his 1492 journey across the Atlantic. His legacy remains both celebrated and controversial, given the consequences of European colonization, which historians link to a range of hardships and suffering for Indigenous populations across the Americas.
Columbus’ landmark voyage began on August 3, 1492, when he set sail from Palos, Spain, with three ships—the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María—in pursuit of a westward route to Asia. Instead, he famously stumbled upon the islands of the Caribbean on October 12, 1492, an event that would reshape the course of history. However, subsequent voyages also led to Columbus enslaving Indigenous peoples and triggering a series of actions that devastated native populations. This darker aspect of Columbus’ legacy has fueled ongoing debates and inspired some cities and states to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day.
In recent studies examining ancient DNA from remains in South America, scientists found evidence of treponematosis, a disease from the same bacterial family as syphilis, among Indigenous peoples thousands of years before Columbus’ arrival. This discovery adds nuance to the once widely held belief that Columbus and his men may have introduced syphilis to the Americas.
With the identification of Columbus’ remains confirmed, historians, archaeologists, and geneticists alike are poised to leverage this DNA evidence for further exploration. As Lorente noted, “This discovery not only confirms where Columbus was laid to rest but also opens the possibility to trace his heritage, unraveling more of the mysteries surrounding one of history’s most enigmatic figures.”
