He origin of Christopher Columbus It has been a source of controversy and speculation for centuries. Although many historians place his place of origin in Genoa, Italy, there are several theories that suggest that his nationality could be a very different one. For many years, this mystery has so fascinated historians like to scientistswho continue to search for answers through various investigations. Recently, a new TVE documentary, ‘Columbus DNA, its true origin‘, has revived the debate, generating both expectation and skepticism among the scientific community. In that sense, Miguel Botella, president of the Spanish Society of Physical Anthropologywho analyzed the admiral’s bones in 2005, spoke about this issue last Monday in an interview with the radio program ‘Herrera en COPE’.
In the conversation with Carlos Herrerathe renowned anthropologist expressed his surprise at what was exposed in the documentary: «I am perplexed by what happened in that program, because no data was provided and, in reality, it does not match what we studied in 2003, nor was anything clarified. “We will have to wait with great interest for that promised publication,” he stated, referring to the conclusions presented in the documentary.
The report, which narrated the conclusions reached after 22 years of researchled by the forensic expert and professor at the University of Granada José Antonio Lorente, bases its statements on genetic and scientific testing made from the skeletal remains of Christopher Columbus and his son Hernandoextracted from the cathedral of Seville. However, Botella points out that he does not find the data presented convincing. «Even in the documentary itself it is said that the alleged bones of Columbus do not have a high quality of DNA. The new thing that has been done is with the son, who is safe in Seville,” he explained. Despite recent evidence, Botella recalls that in 2004 an official report was published that certified that The bones of Diego Columbus confirmed that he was Christopher’s brother. «In 2021, that is still said. And now, the sample that has been used has always been the same. “I find it strange,” he said.
For the expert, the origin of Columbus is a matter much more complex than it seems. «It seems that the origin of Columbus is much more lush than it seemed. And it is as scientific to rule out as to affirm. But in no case has anything conclusive been said,” Botella criticized. Furthermore, he stressed that the statements about the origin of the admiral are not demonstrated with the necessary forcefulness. “I think we should have waited for that publication to be able to affirm those things, because if not it will remain up in the air and as a novelty of adventure,” he added, pointing out that the documentary’s statements are, in his opinion, precipitated.
Origin based on DNA
On the other hand, Botella emphasizes that You cannot accurately determine a person’s origin solely based on their DNA.. «When we say DNA, we can never talk about a specific origin and a place. They are probabilities. It’s statistics,” explained the anthropologist. And he added that, in the case of an area as large as the Mediterranean, categorically stating a place of birth is “excessively risky.”
Regarding the remains of Columbus that are preserved in Seville, Botella assures that, after his investigation, what he can affirm is that belong to a single individualbetween 50 and 70 years old, but warns that a lot of material is missing. “Perhaps it is better not to risk it, but I can affirm that what is in Seville belongs to Christopher Columbus,” he stated firmly.
Finally, the anthropologist concluded his intervention questioning the techniques used in the investigation. «From what I know about DNA, the techniques have not evolved that much either. It surprises me that, if in 2004 it was certified that Diego and Cristóbal were brothers and now they are not… well, it seems strange to me,” he commented. Despite his skepticism, Botella admits that the research is of great importance and should be published in a prestigious magazineto provide greater clarity about it. However, he made it clear that there are still many questions to answer and that, for the moment, There is nothing definitive regarding the true origin of Christopher Columbus..
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