A new study shines light on a hotly contested centuries-old mystery.

Famed explorer Christopher Columbus was likely Spanish and Jewish, according to a new genetic study conducted by Spanish scientists that aimed to shed light on a centuries-old mystery.

Scientists believe the explorer, whose expedition across the Atlantic in 1492 changed the course of world history, was probably born in western Europe, possibly in the city of Valencia.

They think he concealed his Jewish identity, or converted to Catholicism, to escape religious persecution.

The study of DNA contradicts the traditional theory, which many historians had questioned, that the explorer was an Italian from Genoa.

    • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldMEnglish
      153·
      2 months ago

      If we’re lucky, it might mean certain Italian-Americans will finally stop defending Columbus day.

      • catloaf@lemm.eeEnglish
        5·
        2 months ago

        It had as much to do with that as St. Patrick’s Day actually had to do with being Irish.

          • PolydoreSmith@lemmy.worldEnglish
            3·
            2 months ago

            Don’t know who downvoted you, you’re absolutely right. Just as an anecdotal example, my grandmother was an extremely intelligent and progressive Italian-American woman, but Columbus was the one thing she would never budge on. It goes back to a time when Catholics had to constantly defend their loyalty to America. I’d imagine St Patrick’s day was a similar thing. It was these immigrants’ single point of pride that other Americans would respect and understand.

            • LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.worldEnglish
              2·
              2 months ago

              Fathers side is all from Sicily, never once did I hear any of them say a word about Columbus, probably couldn’t tell you what part of the year it was in.

  • njm1314@lemmy.worldEnglish
    81·
    2 months ago

    What study? There was none Linked In this article and it seems like it all comes from a TV special?

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldMEnglish
        62·
        2 months ago

        I’m sure the media will be able to produce someone they can get to say that this changes everything we ever knew forever.

        • ZaktorEnglish
          4·
          2 months ago

          Now pulling down Columbus statues can be called anti-Semitic. They liked how effective that was for the antiwar protests. When the BLM sequel happens (because nothing was actually done to fix any of the causes), they’ll have a ready message. It’s not about colonization or celebrating oppressive racists, it’s just leftwing youths being anti-Semitic again.