Several countries disputed origins of Columbus, the divisive explorer who led Spanish-funded expeditions from the 1490s onward.

Researchers who study Columbus say the purported findings are of only limited significance, even if true: DNA evidence would show only Jewish heritage, not identity. And Columbus’ own writings express both Christian beliefs and praise for the decree expelling Jews from Spain.

DNA analysis reveals Christopher Columbus' true identity, uncovering his Spanish-Jewish roots and solving a centuries-old mystery.

A 22-year investigation by Spanish forensic researchers concluded that Christopher Columbus was a Sephardic Jew from Western Europe.

A new DNA study on the 500-year-old remains of Christopher Columbus has found that the controversial explorer was actually a Sephardic Jew from Western Europe.

Spanish scientists believe he was born into a Sephardic Jewish family from Western Europe and converted to Catholicism.

The 15th-century explorer Christopher Columbus was a Sephardic Jew from Western Europe, Spanish scientists said on Saturday, after using DNA analysis to tackle a centuries-old mystery.

More than five centuries after he re-shaped history by opening up the New World to European exploration, scientists say they are ready to reveal the truth about the origins of Christopher Columbus. The explorer reached the Americas in 1492 with the support of the Spanish Crown.

Scientists have ‘definitively’ proved identity of remains – with navigator’s precise origins to be revealed

The findings, revealed in a new documentary which aired this weekend on Spanish television, claim that the explorer hid his true identity to avoid religious persecution in Europe.View on euronews