No DNA Test on Columbus’ Alleged Bones
The Dominican Republic on Monday refused a request from Spanish scientists to perform DNA tests on remains here purported to be those of Christopher Columbus.
Researchers studying genetic evidence from 500-year-old bone slivers said this month that preliminary data suggested that Columbus might be buried in the Spanish city of Seville, though they said more testing was needed to be certain.
The experiment’s goal was to settle more than a century of disagreement between Spain and the Dominican Republic, which both boast ornate graves claiming to hold Columbus’ remains.
The scientists have been petitioning the Dominican government for two years to allow tests.
“It’s not worth it when we already know that the method they are using won’t give us clear results,” said Sulamita Puig, the Dominican Republic’s deputy culture secretary.
For the tests in Spain, scientists extracted DNA material from bones some claim are from Columbus. They also cross-matched the remains with material taken from bones historians believe belong to his relatives.
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