GRANADA - UP till now the received knowledge has always been that Christopher Columbus, the supposed discoverer of America, was born in Genoa in 1451. However, a group of researchers at the University of Granada could be ruffling feathers with some new conclusions, reports the University.

  Columbus died in 1506 in Valladolid and his remains were first brought to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, then Cuba, before coming finally to be buried in Seville Cathedral in 1898. Researchers have got their hands on what they believe to be his remains, as well as those of his two sons Diego and Fernando, buried with him. His remains are now to be analysed independently by both American and European laboratories. Results are expected in October.

  The official theory is that Columbus was born in Genoa to a family of woolworkers, but in recent years several contrasting ideas have been put forward. In light of the analysis of his DNA, the Spanish Institute recently held a conference at which various researchers proposed their theories as to the explorer's origins.

  Some believe he was born into a Jewish family in Valencia, while others argued he was either a pirate from Lisbon or the stepson of Princess Eleanor of Viseu, later the Queen Consort of Portugal. There were several theories suggesting he in fact hailed from Croatia or Poland.

  Fabio Icardi, an Italian researcher, said, "Christopher Columbus always forbade his family to give information about his origins. At the time the name Columbus was often given to abandoned orphans and was a very popular surname of the Renaissance. Most likely Columbus had humble origins and having become noble, an Admiral and Governor of the lands he discovered, he did not want the nobles of Spain to come to know of his humble origins."

  Icardi is a strong critic of the Genoa theory, arguing instead that he was born in Savona, a few miles along the Ligurian coast.

  However, while the research continues, the mystery prevails.

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